Silks At DownRoyal Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 40.30s

West Coast Time^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 120

15/8

Won a 2m maiden hurdle at Gowran Park before moderate runs on last three starts despite finishing second last time out. Best form gives him a claim.

Form: 20-1502

Gun Digger¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 117

2/1

Bumper winner over 2m at Thurles in November and put in a couple of decent efforts in maiden hurdles since without winning. Deserves a change of luck.

Form: 2/41443

Penance^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: T Gibney| OR: 113| D

33/1

Has failed to build on a win when losing his maiden tag at Ballinrobe in May by disappointing connections in a series of grim displays since but not totally out of it in this field.

Form: 0-21795

Paper Lantern^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 108

11/1

Better over the larger obstacles than he is over hurdles being without a win from nine efforts over timber. Very little to be positive about on form shown.

Form: 11-5P48

Victoria Says⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 106

10/1

Gradually getting her act together over hurdles, and took a 2m4f heavy ground maiden at Ayr in mid November, profiting from the fall of Uncle Alastair. Open to further improvement.

Form: 7542-41

Guided By You²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 109

11/4

Shaped quite well over 2m6f on debut at Punchestown before winning a Cork maiden hurdle earlier this month by 3L. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: 41

Forecasts

West Coast Time (15/8), Gun Digger (2/1), Guided By You (11/4), Victoria Says (10/1), Paper Lantern (11/1), Penance (33/1)

GUN DIGGER for the powerful Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy are taken to land this competitive event which could see a number of runners going well. The selection has put in a couple of decent efforts in maiden hurdles since without winning recently, while the Joseph O'Brien-trained West Coast Time will look to better his second seven last time out at Limerick over Christmas with the Noel Meade-trained Guided By You and Penance capable of having their say.