Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:13 | Winning time: 5m 48.20s

Carter Mckay²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| C

9/2

Has taken well to hurdling but has come up short on all previous starts in Graded company. Yard have taken the last six renewals of this, so respected with the longer trip expected to yield improvement.

Form: 1106-13

Dicey O'reilly^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D Robinson| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131| C

14/1

Had good form in point-to-points and ran below expectations at Cork. Problems discovered and a tongue-tie yielded a much better performance next time. Needs to take a giant step forward, but held in high regard and needs to be taken seriously.

Form: 4F1-41

Fabulous Saga^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145

7/4

Thorough stayer who has taken two Graded races on his last two starts. Did not enjoy a contested lead last time and his jumping suffered as a result. Stable have an excellent recent record in this, but the slightly shorter trip is a concern.

Form: 112311

Jetz²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 138

5/1

Has run creditably in three other Graded races including the "Monksfield", but this is another tough assignment and others are preferred.

Form: 3-31234

Moyross²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 133

16/1

Earned a crack in better company last time by landing his first two stats over hurdles. Came up short that day and a similar outcome seems likely here.

Form: 344-117

Dortmund Park^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| D

5/2

Already being discussed as a Cheltenham banker following his destruction of a good field in a Thurles novice last time. That came despite connections feeling he needs better ground and he is obviously a top-class prospect.

Form: 1-1611

Tower Bridge^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

25/1

Landed a couple of summer bumpers, but hurdling form leaves him a long way short of what will be required to win this.

Form: 4-1104

Forecasts

Fabulous Saga (7/4), Dortmund Park (5/2), Carter Mckay (9/2), Jetz (5/1), Dicey O'reilly (14/1), Moyross (16/1), Tower Bridge (25/1)

DORTMUND PARK graduates to Graded company for the first time. That task seemed not insurmountable given his manner of victory last time despite hating the ground. Willie Mullins has taken the last six runnings of this and mounts a strong challenge with Carter McKay and Fabulous Saga. The latter is a dour stayer who could make this a real test from the front. However, the slightly shorter trip is a concern and Carter McKay may find this extra distance an aid to bridging the gap between the potential that has been promised and the delivery of a top-class performance. Dicey O'reilly is highly regarded by connections and cannot be ruled out, but Jetz, Tower Bridge and Moyross have a lot to find.