BMG Insurance Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 10.70s

Fearachain⁷⁸⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: A Mullins| OR: 121

20/1

One win from 11 hurdle starts and will possibly need the run on return following a two-year break.

Form: 426842/

Midnight Escape⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 134

8/1

Poor 127-rated chaser not seen over a hurdle since finishing fifth of seven beaten 7½L in a Thurles contest in March 2017. Plenty to prove on hurdling return.

Form: 5/3360-0

Niven^p,t⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 122

7/2

Got off the mark over hurdles at the ninth time of asking in a Ballinrobe maiden over 2m½f in May. Beaten since in a couple of handicaps but not easily dismissed.

Form: 45-6135

Political Policy^t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| D

11/4

Third of 24 at Fairyhouse in January and won a Bellewstown maiden hurdle on Saturday beating 15 rivals a neck from Paris Texas over 2m½f. Quickly turned out and capable of having his say again.

Form: 3-1

Count Simon^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 117| CD

7/4

C&D winner here last month ridden clear late on to win by a comfortable 5½L. Beaten since at Bellewstown over inadequate trip but big claims here with conditions to suit.

Form: 7-3214

Tranquil Magic^p,t²⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: C Bowe| OR: 100| C

12/1

One from 12 over timber but had been solid and consistent in a number of promising starts last term. May need the run on seasonal return.

Form: 221212-

Nellys Robin⁴⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr N Gault⁽⁷⁾| T: S Millar

100/1

Poor form in three point-to-point starts failing to finish in a couple of spins over 3m. Best avoided on rules debut and first start for over 12-months.

Form: P5P/

Forecasts

Count Simon (7/4), Political Policy (11/4), Niven (7/2), Midnight Escape (8/1), Tranquil Magic (12/1), Fearachain (20/1), Nellys Robin (100/1)

C&D winner COUNT SIMON can land the opener here for leading trainer/jockey combination, Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell taking advantage of the possible early pace in the race from Tranquil Magic. The four-year-old was beaten earlier in the month in a competitive looking contest at Bellewstown recently but this event looks easier with conditions to suit. The Noel Meade-trained Niven can fight for the minor honours with last time out winner, Political Policy.