15:30 Fairyhouse

Sunday 2 April 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 58.3s

Art Of Security⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 128

50/1

Off the mark over timber at Naas in January before finishing fourth in what may turn out to be a strong Listed Novice contest at Punchestown in early February. This also looks strong.

Form: 873147

Avenir D'Une Vie¹³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead

7/1

Dual bumper winner for Willie Mullins, justified odds-on favouritism over this C&D in November on sole outing for new yard. Should have more to offer.

Form: 210-516

Bleu Berry²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

2/1

Won both outings since returning from a layoff, showing good attitude to get up late at Naas most recently and can go well again. Chances would be increased if jumping more fluently.

Form: 27F-111

Brelade¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

7/2

Ran well for a long way in the Neptune at Cheltenham recently, drops back in trip now and beat a useful yardstick in Joey Sasa on sole previous 2m hurdles outing. Also run well in two Grade 1 contests this season over longer trip.

Form: 2-42112

Chateau Conti⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

11/2

Appears to have been passed over by Walsh for this contest, good winner of a maiden at Cork in January over this trip, though finished behind Brelade subsequently at Leopardstown in top-level contest.

Form: 1116PP-

Chirico Vallis^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 130

16/1

Easy winner of maiden hurdle at Navan last month, has plenty to find with Bleu Berry however on C&D meeting in February.

Form: 233R15

Montalbano^h⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

25/1

French import made winning start at Leopardstown in December over 2m4f for champion trainer. No match Let's Dance back there since and drops in trip now. Jockey bookings suggest yard has stronger contenders.

Form: 2-153

Outspoken^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 136

9/2

Nailed on the line by Bleu Berry at Naas three weeks ago, same trip and same terms here and should hold leading claims again.

Form: 2-2122

Riven Light²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133

16/1

Has seen the back of a few of these rivals in recent outings, most recently finishing close to a dozen lengths off Bleu Berry and Outspoken over this trip at Naas. More required to bridge that gap.

Form: 148442-

Forecasts

Bleu Berry (2/1), Brelade (7/2), Outspoken (9/2), Chateau Conti (11/2), Avenir D'Une Vie (7/1), Riven Light (16/1), Chirico Vallis (16/1), Montalbano (25/1), Art Of Security (50/1)

Brelade should hold every chance going back in trip here after a decent showing in the Neptune at Cheltenham. He has scored twice this season over 2m, including on hurdles bow and should go well here. With four of the nine being from the Closutton team, it must be worth noting that Walsh sides with last month's Naas scorer Bleu Berry. He needs to improve his jumping having only just managed to get past OUTSPOKEN that day. They meet on the same terms now and there could well be more to come from the selection after three promising runs this year, including a smooth maiden win at Naas. He looks the value call in this contest. Avenir D'une Vie is greatly respected having won his only start for his new trainer in November while Art Of Security could be capable of taking a share of the place money.