Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 4m 58.2s

Airlie Beach³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

8/1

Was expected to duel with Let's Dance at Cheltenham but that never materialised and was eventually pulled up. Recovery mission now and probably going to be scrapping for the minor money.

Form: 111106

Augusta Kate³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

8/1

Second of four for the champion trainer in here and another that has to bounce back from a relatively poor run at Cheltenham. Drops in trip and no surprise should she give the likely favourite something to think about.

Form: 2-11F61

Barra^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

14/1

Got within 3L of Let's Dance at Cheltenham, which was a thoroughly pleasing effort. Out in trip here shouldn't be a problem but 5lb swing with last month's conqueror much more likely to impede hopes.

Form: 215236

Colin's Sister⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142

8/1

British-raider who missed Cheltenham with this type of contest in mind, she seeks to spoil the Mullins/Elliott duel. Isn't to be underestimated and may hit the frame.

Form: 4552-11

Good Thyne Tara⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Fogarty| T: W P Mullins

33/1

Did absolutely nothing wrong in winning maiden at Clonmel on jumps bow for champion trainer. Yard has four in this and she's down the pecking order. Was beaten by Shattered Love in a bumper at Naas last March.

Form: 3/12143-

Let's Dance³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

8/13

Brought up a five-timer with Grade Two Cheltenham success last month. She didn't exactly enjoy a perfect trip then but still collected her prize in the style of a really good mare and will be hard to topple over a longer trip that holds no fears.

Form: 111112

Shattered Love^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

10/1

Found out somewhat in the Neptune last month, this is less demanding but has been beaten by both Let's Dance and Airlie Beach already this season and that form is likely to stand up.

Form: 3-12211

Forecasts

Let's Dance (8/13), Augusta Kate (8/1), Colin's Sister (8/1), Airlie Beach (8/1), Shattered Love (10/1), Barra (14/1), Good Thyne Tara (33/1)

The Elliott and Mullins camps are braced for a thrilling climax to the jumps season and they fire six of the seven at this prize. It is the latter who appears to be holding the trump cards this time, with LET'S DANCE a confident selection to continue her winning ways. Ruby Walsh admitted his positon was not ideal at Cheltenham but he remained calm and the mare made light work of that field. This trip holds no fears and she is the one the one they all have to beat. Airlie Beach was expected to give her a race last time but the market vibes were vindicated as she ran poorly and it could be that Augusta Kate is next best of the Closutton quartet, if the Albert Bartlett run hasn't left a mark. The raiding Colin's Sister merits plenty respect having missed Cheltenham while Gigginstown duo Barra and Shattered Love look held.