Racing Post Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 5m 20.2s

Free Code⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: E M O'Sullivan

66/1

Won five times on the Flat when trained in England, but has been unplaced in seven starts since joining his current stable. Needs the switch to hurdling to have a galvanising effect.

Form:

Percy Veer¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara

50/1

An 81-rated handicapper at best on the Flat for Sylvester Kirk in England, he was sent off at 50-1 when pulled up on his hurdling debut at Cork on his first start for his current trainer. Clearly needs to take a big step forward.

Form: P

Allardyce²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 116

7/2

Solid placed form in bumpers and hurdles, but was beaten over 15L when third of eight at Clonmel last time. Likely to be thereabouts again, but may find one or two of his rivals too strong as usual.

Form: 223323

Beyond The Law^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: M F Morris

7/4

Placed in two of his four starts over timber, including when third of 12 in a first-time tongue tie at Punchestown on his latest outing. Acts on this sort of ground and is respected.

Form: 20-2043

Caro Des Flos³⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/10

French import who was second of 18 to a better-fancied stable companion on his first start for his top trainer in January. Not seen since, but likely to be straight enough and is probably the one to beat.

Form: P42/2-

Darsi's Gold²⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: S J Mahon

20/1

Placed in two of his four point-to-points, he makes his hurdling debut. The market will be the best guide to his chances.

Form: 4R23-

Knocknarae King¹¹²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: I J McCarthy| T: B McMahon

33/1

Quite cheaply-bought Turtle Island gelding who was pulled up on his only start in a point-to-point over three years ago. Sent off at 3-1 that day and ran well for a long way, but has presumably had his problems and is best watched.

Form: P/

Forecasts

Caro Des Flos (11/10), Beyond The Law (7/4), Allardyce (7/2), Darsi's Gold (20/1), Knocknarae King (33/1), Percy Veer (50/1), Free Code (66/1)

Not the strongest of maiden hurdles. Allardyce and Beyond The Law boast the best recent form and should be on the premises, but neither may be able to cope with CARO DES FLOS, who ran well to finish second to an odds-on stable companion on his only start for his top trainer and should be able to go one better.