Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 0.50s

Hardline^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

14/1

Has won both of his last two starts, both by wide margins following some more disappointing efforts. The penny seems to have dropped now but he still has work to do with the best of these.

Form: F22-211

Morgan²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

33/1

Never out of the front four in 13 starts under rules so far but was beaten 14L by Mengli Khan last time and faces a tough ask to reverse that form.

Form: 212123

Early Doors²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| D

14/1

Two out of two over hurdles so far having also won a bumper. Hasn't been as impressive at a novice level as some of these but still should be able to improve further.

Form: 13-11

Le Richebourg¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien

9/2

Completed a hat-trick in a Galway novice hurdle last time out. Well worth a chance at this level, for all it represents a big step up in grade.

Form: 32-111

Makitorix⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

3/1

French Flat recruit who won easily on debut in a Listowel maiden hurdle last time out. Represents a top trainer and could be anything over obstacles.

Form: 1

Mengli Khan²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

9/4

Easy winner of a Grade 3 at Navan last time out having been highly progressive so far this year. A repeat of that performance here on similar ground would surely see him go very close.

Form: 24-11

Red Jack²²

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

11/4

Unbeaten in a maiden hurdle and two bumpers so far. Remains completely unexposed, and could easily have the potential to be up to this level.

Form: 11-1

Forecasts

Mengli Khan (9/4), Red Jack (11/4), Makitorix (3/1), Le Richebourg (9/2), Early Doors (14/1), Hardline (14/1), Morgan (33/1)

Mengli Khan clearly sets the standard following an easy Grade 3 victory at Navan last time, but there are a number of potential improvers in this field including MAKITORIX. Willie Mullins often does well with his French imports and this son of Makfi really did look like he could be anything on debut over hurdles (albeit in a much weaker contest) at Listowel last time. Red Jack is also unbeaten over hurdles and should be in the mix.