Avoca Dunboyne Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 4m 5.50s

Dandy Mag³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

8/1

Made a decent start for this yard when winning at Gowran Park in February before finding the Triumph Hurdle too hot at Cheltenham. Could well bounce back and have a say in this contest.

Form: 22102

Ex Patriot³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 142

13/8

Narrowly beat Dinaria Des Obeaux over C&D in February only to lose the race in the steward's room, comfortably beat that rival however when running an excellent fourth in the Triumph at Cheltenham and looks sure to go close again.

Form: 15D

Long Call^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: A J Martin| OR: 128

16/1

Winner of a minor hurdles contest at Herford in January over this trip, will need to raise game considerably to take front rank here.

Form: -680

On The Go Again^t⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: A E Lynch| T: M Mulvany

28/1

Narrow winner of 2m maiden hurdle at Navan last month on first jumps start, could be capable of better still but this undoubtedly demands just that.

Form: 16

Orion D'Aubrelle¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins

5/1

Final start in France saw him winning readily over this kind of trip in October and has since joined champion trainer here. A big run isn't to be ruled out on Irish debut and Walsh prefers to Dandy Mag seemingly.

Form: 515

Project Bluebook³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 135

9/2

Has looked progressive in four runs over hurdles this season, ran a sound race to be fourth in the Fred Winter last month at Cheltenham. May be in calmer waters, despite going up in grade, and is hugely respected.

Form: 2

Dinaria Des Obeaux^t1³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 133

4/1

Got the best of Ex Patriot in the steward's room having passed the post second over C&D in February. That rival was far superior subsequently at Cheltenham and can confirm that theory here.

Form: 13104

Forecasts

Ex Patriot (13/8), Dinaria Des Obeaux (4/1), Project Bluebook (9/2), Orion D'Aubrelle (5/1), Dandy Mag (8/1), Long Call (16/1), On The Go Again (28/1)

EX PATRIOT was anything but disgraced in the Triumph Hurdle last month and can grab this contest as compensation for losing a Grade Three over C&D having passed the post first in February. He effectively stepped up on that effort in the Triumph and looks one to stay on the right side of now. The filly Dinaria Des Obeaux was the beneficiary of his misfortune last time and she should bounce back from a below par effort in the Cotswolds. British raider Project Bluebook is very much one to note coming here while French import Orion D'aubrelle is noted for Walsh and Mullins have easily scored on his final start in his native land. Dandy Mag, also out of the Closutton team, may have more to say after finding the Triumph a bit much last time out.