Irish Independent Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 13.8s

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Selected odds by:

Franco De Port³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| D

2/1

Was an easy winner on debut in France and looked to have plenty in hand when dotting up on his stable/Irish debut at Gowran Park last month. Looks a huge player now upped in grade for this hat-trick bid.

Form: 1-1

Gardens of Babylon^b,t⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: J S McGarvey| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 140| D

7/1

Top class juvenile hurdler last season, when Triumph Hurdle third and Grade 2 second at Fairyhouse. Got back to that level of form when second in a Naas Grade 2 last time, and should be a contender again.

Form: 32-1082

Ekanse²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan

200/1

Well held on his stable debut in a Dundalk maiden on AW recently and can only watch on his hurdles debut in a very tough contest.

Form:

Foreign Secretary²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: R P Treacy| T: J Halley| OR: 123| CD

33/1

Some fairly useful form over hurdles, winning over C&D (heavy) in March. Should be competitive, but if others are at their best he will struggle to win this.

Form: 13-8537

Soviet Pimpernel²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 134| D

4/1

Won a bumper on his third start and immediately stepped up on that when scoring at Gowran Park on his hurdles debut in October. Best effort came next time, when second at Cheltenham. Held in Grade 1 latest, but looks a big player at this level.

Form: 23-1126

Surin^t⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

6/4

Beaten ½L by Gardens Of Babylon at Punchestown this time last year, but improved to reverse the placings next time and also finished 7½L ahead of that rival when winning in this grade at Naas last time. Improving and big chance of the hat-trick.

Form: 213-211

The Little Yank⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: L Quinlan| T: J P Ryan| D

14/1

Improved with each bumper run and scored at both Tipperary and Cork on his last two in that sphere. Interesting that he is pitched straight in at this level over hurdles, and no surprise if he is able to mount a serious challenge.

Form: 211

Global Equity³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: S A Shortall| T: J P O'Brien| D

18/1

Galway bumper winner on her second start, but no as good in mares' Listed event last time. Should be able to improve now going hurdling, but will need plenty of that at this level on her first attempt.

Form: 313

Forecasts

Surin (6/4), Franco De Port (2/1), Soviet Pimpernel (4/1), Gardens of Babylon (7/1), The Little Yank (14/1), Global Equity (18/1), Foreign Secretary (33/1), Ekanse (200/1)

A fascinating Grade 3 event. The Little Yank could go very well on his hurdles debut, while Soviet Pimpernel, Gardens Of Babylon and Franco De Port all look likely to be serious players. However, SURIN arrives in super form, is proven at this level, and it taken to complete a hat-trick.