Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 15.50s

Poetic Rhythm³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 140| C

9/2

Useful hurdler who retained his novice status after running in good company last season. Off the mark in a Grade 2 contest at Chepstow last time and has to be considered with experience on his side.

Form: 15330-1

Aye Aye Charlie¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: F O'Brien

40/1

Fair performer in bumpers who was third of eight to On The Blind Side on his hurdling debut at Aintree. Should build on that, but others, including stable companion Poetic Rhythm, have stronger claims.

Form: 3614-3

Calett Mad^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 144| C

7/4

Mixed it in good company over fences last season and the switch back to hurdles has seen him regain his confidence with wins at Perth and at this track, both over 3m. Drop in trip may not be ideal, but he has to be respected.

Form: 2952-11

On The Blind Side¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

9/2

Won his only point-to-point start in Ireland and looked a useful prospect when successful on his hurdling debut and first start for the champion trainer at Aintree. Looks sure to improve and can take a hand in the finish.

Form: 1-1

Vision Des Flos³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard

3/1

Landed a valuable bumper at the Punchestown Festival in April and shaped with lots of promise when third to Poetic Rhythm on his hurdling debut in a Grade 2 contest at Chepstow. Likely to be much wiser this time and looks a leading player.

Form: 1-3

Momella²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

7/1

Winning point-to-pointer who has not been troubled to win both her hurdles starts at Newton Abbot and Fakenham. Upwardly-mobile stable could hardly be in better form, and she gets a valuable mare's allowance.

Form: 41-11

Forecasts

Calett Mad (7/4), Vision Des Flos (3/1), On The Blind Side (9/2), Poetic Rhythm (9/2), Momella (7/1), Aye Aye Charlie (40/1)

Poetic Rhythm looks much the best of his stable's two runners and is respected, a remark which applies to Calett Mad despite the suspicion this trip might be on the sharp side. Momella has to enter calculations in receipt of the mare's allowance, but this may be fought out by VISION DES FLOS and On The Blind Side. The selection is the choice of three entries from his powerful yard and is clearly held in some regard. He can step up markedly on his debut run over hurdles at Chepstow.