Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 4m 48.90s

Identity Thief¹⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162| D

7/2

High-class hurdler, lost way after promising start to novice chasing career and appeared to shed confidence. Back to best in winning 3m Aintree Grade 1 in the spring before lesser effort at Punchestown. Concedes weight on return.

Form: 0/62414-

Dortmund Park^t¹⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 148| D

6/1

Career-best on second start after wind operation when landing Champion Novice Hurdle over this trip at Punchestown in April. Back from a break and has to step up against this opposition.

Form: 611481-

Jezki¹⁹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 150| C| D

10/1

Former Champion Hurdler, disappointing at Punchestown in Champion Stayers' Hurdle (3m, yielding to soft) won by old rival Faugheen in April. Enough signs last term that decline has set in and tough enough starting point.

Form: 2541P0-

Apple's Jade^t¹⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| BF| CD

1/1

Top-notch mare, she had to work to see off Jer's Girl when winning this at odds-on last term. Twice beaten over this trip at Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals in the spring when odds-on, she is however getting weight from main rivals on return.

Form: 1/11133-

Arctic Fire^h³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: D F O'Regan| T: D Cullen| OR: 152| CD

14/1

Won this race in 2015, spent 441-day on sidelines but gained 3m good-ground Cork success in August on second start back. Fair effort behind subsequent Samcro-slayer Bedrock at Tipperary (2m, good) since and this trip mores suitable these days.

Form: 213/314

Coney Island²²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: E P Harty| OR: 145| D

8/1

Best stuff has come over fences, bit to prove after twice being pulled up in hot races in the spring in that discipline. Has plenty talent however and not completely dismissed. Market will be interesting.

Form: 212/1PP-

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (1/1), Identity Thief (7/2), Dortmund Park (6/1), Coney Island (8/1), Jezki (10/1), Arctic Fire (14/1)

Last year's winner Apple's Jade is the one to beat and gets good terms on her reappearance but she was disappointing at the spring festivals and had to work to win a lesser renewal of this last year, so she's no certainty and is once again an odds-on favourite. Her stablemate DORTMUND PARK ended last term with a fine success in the Champion Novice Hurdle over this trip at Punchestown and could have more to offer in open company. At the early prices Davy Russell's mount is worth a chance. Identity Thief completes a strong Gigginstown challenge but must prove his Aintree win wasn't a brief return to form. Arctic Fire is favoured over Jezki from the older brigade.