Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 5m 7.2s

Cilaos Emery^h²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153

12/1

Got the better of the well-regarded Melon in a Grade 1 at Punchestown on his last start, and remains lightly-raced. Could have some more to offer on his first start out of novice company and stepping up in trip.

Form: 11251-

Mick Jazz^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 147

20/1

Improved as a second season novice last year to land some nice prizes, but this trip represents an unknown to him and he has always come up short in Graded company up to this point.

Form: P/1231-3

Nichols Canyon²²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| BF| C| D

6/4

Last year's Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle winner and has taken multiple other Grade 1s. Beaten narrowly by a classy performer last time out but should still be right there for a trainer who has won this three times in the past ten years.

Form: 312F12-

Supasundae²³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 159| D

8/1

Grade 3 winner last term and beaten only by Yanworth in the Liverpool Hurdle. Drop in trip no concern on his first run since but has something to find on ratings with Apple's Jade and Nichols Canyon.

Form: 812412-

Swamp Fox^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J G Murphy| OR: 154| D

33/1

Irish November Handicap winner and Galway Hurdle runner-up so far this year but has never really looked convincing in Graded/Listed races compared to some multiple Grade 1 winners in this field.

Form: 411243

Apple's Jade^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| CD

11/8

Last year's winner who faces geldings here for the first time since last year's Fighting Fifth. Has shown more than enough against her own sex in that time (including winning Cheltenham Mares Race) to suggest she can be competitive here.

Form: 21211-1

Augusta Kate²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| CD

16/1

Grade 1 winner at the Cheltenham Festival and clearly possesses ability, but has plenty to find with Apple's Jade having been beaten 38L by that mare last time out.

Form: 11F615-

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (11/8), Nichols Canyon (6/4), Supasundae (8/1), Cilaos Emery (12/1), Augusta Kate (16/1), Mick Jazz (20/1), Swamp Fox (33/1)

This should be between last year's winner Apple's Jade and NICHOLS CANYON. Gordon Elliott's top mare is clearly a very big danger to the selection (especially over this trip), but Willie Mullins' charge is preferred due to the way he performed in top staying contests at the end of last season and his versatility. He has gone well fresh in the past and can claim another Grade 1 here. Cilaos Emery may prove third best now stepping up in trip given the way he impressed in novice company last season.