Michael Cawe Suspended Ceilings (C & G) Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 5m 38.3s

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Selected odds by:

Dave And Bernie¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: Michael Barry

100/1

Unfancied and well beaten on both bumper starts recently; though the Papal Bull gelding had shown some promise in a Roscommon contest last summer. Seemingly an unlikely winner on hurdles debut, however.

Form: 64FP-00

Hardy Man^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 104

6/4

Improved form shown in two recent starts at Roscommon (including in a handicap over this sort of trip); entitled to be on any shortlist for this prize.

Form: 2/880-86

Presenting Dylan¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: P G Kelly| OR: 102

8/1

Unplaced in four starts over hurdles thus far, all at 2m on soft-heavy ground; not beyond the realms that he will shape better for meeting this sounder surface and needs a market check.

Form: 084667-

Siberian Star²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell

7/1

Shaped a little better at Roscommon (2m4f, good; 18-1) last month on seasonal return; though that still leaves him needing a step forward to get in the shake-up now.

Form: 77566-4

The Rocking Chair^p1⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott

33/1

Some promise in bumpers last year but has struggled in pair of maiden hurdles at Tipperary (2m4f, yielding; 40-1) and Roscommon (2m, good; 28-1) recently and has work to do in first-time cheekpieces now representing top trainer.

Form: 46-00

William of Wykeham^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Phillip Enright| T: M M McNiff| OR: 95

14/1

Unplaced in eight starts over hurdles, best of his efforts came at Fairyhouse (2m4f, heavy; 14-1) in November but was pulled up on return at Tipperary having never posed a serious threat.

Form: 5P/650-P

Futurum Regem¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: H P Finegan| OR: 112

3/1

All four previous starts in this sphere have come on testing ground; two sound recent runs on the Flat at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown suggest better may be forthcoming on this surface back over timber. Chance.

Form: F009-

Scalino²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: D E Mullins| T: A Mullins| OR: 98

9/2

Four quick runs over hurdles in November/December last year yielded little in way of positives; returns from a break needing to raise his game considerably.

Form: F060-

Forecasts

Hardy Man (6/4), Futurum Regem (3/1), Scalino (9/2), Siberian Star (7/1), Presenting Dylan (8/1), William of Wykeham (14/1), The Rocking Chair (33/1), Dave And Bernie (100/1)

No superstars lurking here seemingly and so FUTURUM REGEM earns the call after a couple of improved showings on the level recently. His previous attempts in this sphere all came when the mud was flying and, on a better surface, he could be capable of landing a weak event such as this with the excellent Eoin Walsh taking off 7lb to assist. Hardy Man wasn't disgraced in better company at Roscommon last time and is a danger back up in trip; while both Presenting Dylan and The Rocking Chair may do better before long.