baroneracing.com Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 3m 56.7s

Aramon²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

4/1

Winner of two of his three hurdle starts since his debut in August including a distance win at Navan last month. Likely to run well once again but improvement needed in this company.

Form: 121

Quick Grabim²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| D

1/1

Failed to land a hat-trick of wins when running in to stablemate Aramon last month in the Grade 3 For Auction novice hurdle. Likely to reverse the positions off level weights.

Form: 0/2F-114

Triplicate^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| D

5/1

Second of six beaten 5½L behind Quick Grabim in the Grade 3 Joe Mac novice hurdle in October. Plenty to prove in this contest looking at exposed form.

Form: 4-112

Commander Of Fleet¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

3/1

Fame And Glory gelding joined Gigginstown for €47,000 subsequently winning his bumper in April followed by a facile win on hurdling introduction at Punchestown last month. Looks open to improvement.

Form: 11-1

Non-Runners

Tintangle³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Rachael Blackmore

Forecasts

Quick Grabim (1/1), Commander Of Fleet (3/1), Aramon (4/1), Triplicate (5/1), Tintangle (16/1)

A race that has been won by the likes of Moscow Flyer, Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly and 12-months ago by Mengli Khan can see COMMANDER OF FLEET make it two in a row for trainer-Gordon Elliott given the manner of the four-year-olds win at Punchestown last month. The Willie Mullins pair Aramon and Quick Grabim can emerge as the biggest dangers for the trainer who has won six of the last ten renewals of this Grade 1 contest.