I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 4m 21.0s

Hardline^h⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| CD

5/2

Beaten a total of 41L when out of his depth in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse and the future champions hurdle at Leopardstown in December. Best form gives him a claim dropping in class.

Form: 2-21133

Another Barney³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| D

7/2

Disputed third place from halfway taking up the running two out before holding a clear lead at the the last before going on to win comfortably on maiden hurdle debut at Naas last month. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: 411

Athenean³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 128| CD

3/1

Course winner that has also won over the trip. Disappointed last time out when finishing last of eight beaten 36L in a Naas Grade 1 novice hurdle. Capable of running a big race dropping in class.

Form: 0-1318

Riders Onthe Storm²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Slevin| T: T J Taaffe| OR: 128| D

5/2

Built on a fine performance at Limerick in December when winning a nine runner Navan contest last month. Needs to improve again but not ruled out.

Form: 45-521

Lone Wolf^t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

16/1

Gold Well gelding who cost €33,000 as a three-year-old and well beaten in two bumper starts over 2m and 2½m. Plenty to find on recent offerings.

Form: 35

Forecasts

Hardline (5/2), Riders Onthe Storm (5/2), Athenean (3/1), Another Barney (7/2), Lone Wolf (16/1)

Could well be a contested lead in the early stages of this wide-open novice hurdle contest. ANOTHER BARNEY is taken to build on his comfortable win at Naas last month and is Jessica Harrington's only runner of the day while the Gordon Elliott charge Hardline can't be ruled out dropping in class with Riders Onthe Storm likely to follow the pair home.