BoyleSports Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 4m 17.50s

Mitchouka³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 135| CD

9/2

Weakened approaching two out and soon pulled up in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham festival won by stablemate Veneer Of Charm. Clearly better than that run suggests and one for the shortlist for Grand National winning duo.

Form: 12311P

Msassa³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| D

6/1

Won a maiden on his stable debut landing a Wexford maiden last month beating Park Paddocks 2¾L on heavy ground. Improvement required to land a blow here.

Form: 4-1

Percy²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott

33/1

Modest displays in a number of hurdle starts before winning a weak maiden hurdle at Downpatrick last month. More needed in this company.

Form: 51

Saglawy³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

13/8

Youmzain gelding who put behind a number of inept performances behind him when winning a Gowran Park maiden hurdle last month. Will need to improve to play a role in this contest but not completely dismissed.

Form: 31

Saldier³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

3/1

Finished fifth of nine in the Triumph hurdle at the Cheltenham festival 25L behind the impressive Farclas. The race has produced two place finishers in the last eight renewals.

Form: 15

Veneer Of Charm¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| D

12/1

Gallant winner of the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham festival, a race that has a fine record for runners taking their chance here with three winners and two place efforts in the last eight years. Beaten last time out and behind Mitchouka in January.

Form: 12716

Eoline Jolie¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins

10/1

French import for powerful connections who won on his sole start at Autiel when last seen in October. Yard have not rushed the filly and aim to repeat the performance of Twinlight who won this race on stable stable debut in 2011.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Saglawy (13/8), Saldier (3/1), Mitchouka (9/2), Msassa (6/1), Eoline Jolie (10/1), Veneer Of Charm (12/1), Percy (33/1)

A fascinating puzzle to dissect with just two trainers having runners in the seven race field. Saglawy under Paul Townend could attempt to make all in this Grade 2 contest. The four-year-old MITCHOUKA can maintain the excellent record of runners coming in to the race following a run in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham festival. A race that has produced three winners and two place efforts in the last eight years. Of the Willie Mullins quintet, it may pay to watch for any market moves for French import Eoline Jolie.