13:50 Navan

Sunday 16 February 2020

All13:2013:5014:2014:5515:3016:0016:3517:05

Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 58.8s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Tiger Roll^b,t³¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| CD

9/1

Shock winner of this contest last year after muted expectations from connections; same noises this year but the dual Grand National winner will certainly not start at 25/1; real chance if running as well as last season.

Form: 11/4111-

Bachasson³⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| BF| D

11/1

Has won five of his nine starts over hurdles but also has useful form over fences; last seen out in this race last year and while it would not be a surprise to see him run well, it looks a tough ask after such a lengthy break.

Form: 111F/14-

Brace Yourself⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: N Meade

33/1

Showed plenty of ability in bumpers and managed a comfortable win on his final start over hurdles in 2018; has struggled slightly over fences including taking a tumble last time at Fairyhouse; plenty to prove on return to hurdles.

Form: 132/1-7F

Cracking Smart^b,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

16/1

Was second in a Grade One contest over hurdles in 2018 but has been toiling slightly over fences and over hurdles since; hard to rule out totally given stable's fine form in this contest but other make more appeal.

Form: 2F8P75

Kilfenora²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: E P Harty| OR: 152| C

9/4

Has improved on his last three performances winning twice at Naas and here over two miles; should be capable of progressing again and may appreciate stepping up in trip again; fair chance of landing hat-trick.

Form: P/55-311

Killultagh Vic²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| D

12/1

Capable of holding his own but might have to settle for a supporting role to his slightly younger rivals; course winner who usually helps to set the pace in races these days.

Form: 02-4453

Penhill²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153

3/1

Yet to hit the form he showed back in 2018 when he showed himself to be a very classy racehorse by winning at the Cheltenham Festival; much better effort last time at Gowran Park and difficult to discount.

Form: 212/632

Magic Of Light^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 149| C| D

3/1

Versatile mare who was won from 2m-3m and was runner-up in last year's Grand National; won her last two starts easily; a 2m7½f Listed chase at Newbury and 2m7½f Grade 2 hurdle at Ascot; looks the in-form and fittest candidate.

Form: U72-311

Non-Runners

Darasso¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: J P O'Brien J: J S McGarvey

Fine Rightly⁴⁵

Weight: 11-3| Age: 12

T: S R B Crawford J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Kilfenora (9/4), Darasso (5/2), Penhill (3/1), Magic Of Light (3/1), Tiger Roll (9/1), Bachasson (11/1), Killultagh Vic (12/1), Cracking Smart (16/1), Brace Yourself (33/1), Fine Rightly (66/1)

MAGIC OF LIGHT has the benefit of good recent form and a fitness edge on some of her rivals here and is taken to land this fascinating hurdles contest. She has done little wrong in her last two starts and while this step back in trip is not to her advantage it may not stop her winning. All eyes will be on Tiger Roll in the contest he won last season. If fit enough, his trainer could be in line to collect his fourth consecutive success in this race. Darasso will be much sharper for a recent run at Haydock and if putting his best foot forward then he holds every chance.