Gas Networks Ireland Novice Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 2.0s

Aramon³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

5/4

Won as expected when landing a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle on debut last month by 8L. More improvement expected here.

Form: 1

Triplicate^t⁴²

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

11/4

Victorious twice from three starts on the Flat when with Aidan O'Brien. Winner of a maiden hurdle when thrown in at the deep end at the Galway festival last month. Open to plenty more progress here.

Form: 4-1

Eglantine Du Seuil²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

5/2

Winner on maiden hurdle debut at Sligo over 2m on good ground last month. Looks a progressive type and expected to go close for influential owners.

Form: 1-1

Indian Air^h⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: K J Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: P M Lynch

100/1

Abysmal form in the point-to-point field has been rubber-stamped by a couple of dire starts under rules. Out of her depth here.

Form: FUFP-0P

Mary B¹⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: C Byrnes

8/1

Three-race maiden in bumpers and out of luck when tried in a Punchestown Grade 3 when last seen in April. Others may stronger cases.

Form: 1434-

Non-Runners

Silver Star⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Forecasts

Aramon (5/4), Eglantine Du Seuil (5/2), Triplicate (11/4), Silver Star (13/2), Mary B (8/1), Indian Air (100/1)

The Willie Mullins pair could well turn this in to a match as Eglantine Du Seuil attempts a hat-trick of wins but comes up against impressive 8L winner of a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last month, ARAMON. The five-year-old appears to be the choice of stable jockey Paul Townend and can further his reputation here. Triplicate and Silver Star would be worthy contenders in any other renewal but appear up against it here.