WillowWarm Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 8.9s

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Selected odds by:

Nusret^t⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 139| D

12/1

Useful hurdler. 20/1, twenty sixth of 30 in Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh (16.8f, heavy) 69 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Has some good novice hurdle form to his name and better showing anticipated returned to this sphere.

Form: 133134-

Giant Haystacks

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Cleary-Farrell| T: Barry J Fitzgerald

200/1

Elusive Pimpernel gelding. Half-brother to 4 winners, including fair hurdler/useful chaser Usa, stayed 2½m. Dam 2-y-o 5f winner who stayed 7f. Set a stiff task on racecourse debut.

Form:

Golden Joy²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| BF

11/2

Fairly useful hurdler. 11/8, first run since leaving Giada Menato when third of 6 in minor event hurdle at Naas (16f, soft) on IRE NH debut 20 days ago, having run of race. Open to progress, particularly when granted a stiffer test.

Form: 1-3

Gust Of Wind²³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

11/10

Useful hurdler who ran well on just his second start for this yard when fourth in the Triumph at Cheltenham. Not in same form when third in C&D Grade 2 final outing last term but no surprise to see a better showing on return.

Form: 1543-

Hypotenus²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| D

14/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Winner in hurdle at Gowran in September. 6/4, last of 6 in minor event hurdle at Naas (16f, soft) 20 days ago, not seen to best effect reverting back to patient tactics. Still, more needed back up in grade in any case.

Form: 2P-2616

Risk Belle²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134| BF| CD

7/4

Useful hurdler. Winner over C&D in April. Creditable sixth of 18 in handicap hurdle (9/2) at Punchestown (19.1f, good to soft). Off 7 months. Yard having good spell. Sure to go well.

Form: 54F316-

Forecasts

Gust Of Wind (11/10), Risk Belle (7/4), Golden Joy (11/2), Nusret (12/1), Hypotenus (14/1), Giant Haystacks (200/1)

RISK BELLE quickly developed into a useful performer in this sphere, adding to her tally over C&D in April prior to not being seen to best effect at Punchestown later that month. It's feasible to think she can do better again this term and earns the vote in receipt of weight all round. Her stablemate Gust of Wind and Nusret are others fancied to feature.