Little Hours Play After Racing Hurdle

Off time: 19:51 | Winning time: 4m 42.8s

Lieutenant Colonel^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| C| D

33/1

Fair hurdler, won four-runner contest here in March over 2m, well beaten over this trip at Down Royal most recently and others seems more likely on the formbook despite connections.

Form: 21P4P-7

Antimatter²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Duggan| OR: 116

33/1

Fair hurdler, won final two starts last year, held on recent return at Wexford in a handicap over similar trip to this and lots to find on today's terms against these rivals.

Form: 32511-3

Arctic Fire^h⁴⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: D Cullen| OR: 160| D

8/1

High-class hurdler, last spotted finishing 1¾ lengths third to Wicklow Brave in Punchestown Grade 1 in April 2017. Left Willie Mullins since, beats these if ability remains intact.

Form: 114213/

Flaxen Flare^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 136| C| D

8/1

Former course winner and a smart hurdler, runner-up at Down Royal (2m4f, good to firm) recently, can ensure this is an honest test.

Form: 20P03-2

Woodland Opera^b,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126| D

4/1

Grade 2 scorer at Punchestown in November over fences and continued to run well in that sphere since, including runner-up finish there last month over 2m5f. Entitled to be in the shake-up back over smaller obstacles.

Form: 1439-22

Good Thyne Tara⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| C

8/13

Fairly useful hurdler for champion trainer, winner at Ballinrobe last time out, this is plenty tougher on paper.

Form: 3/253-21

Samsara⁴²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: R Loughran| T: G J McKeever

66/1

Decent over fences on the continent when last spotted, has a 425-day absence to defy on first start for new trainer and fair chance he'll need this.

Form: 0P312/5-

Forecasts

Good Thyne Tara (8/13), Woodland Opera (4/1), Arctic Fire (8/1), Flaxen Flare (8/1), Antimatter (33/1), Lieutenant Colonel (33/1), Samsara (66/1)

Former Champion Hurdle runner-up ARCTIC FIRE would dismiss these rivals with contempt should he retain the majority of his ability. We haven't seen him for a while but he is only nine-years-old and gets the nod to prove his well-being. Woodland Opera is a useful chaser not without hopes over the smaller obstacles while Flaxen Flare will be dangerous if given a handy time in front. Good Thyne Tara is in form and not one to bypass for connections.