Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 6m 1.1s

Bapaume²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| C

8/1

Winner of four of his 16 hurdle starts including a Grade 2 contest at Auteuil in June. Signs of regression last term though and 24L behind Apple's Jade in the Hatton's Grade on reappearance. Third of six in this last year.

Form: 3P5-214

Cracking Smart^p,t³⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| D

10/1

Listed novice winner over 3m (soft) in November 2017 at Cork before twice playing second fiddle to Next Destination in graded contests. Absent 355 days and facing some seasoned rivals now.

Form: 21/1122-

Early Doors²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142

22/1

Grade 3 winner over timber in 2017 and fairly solid form since, put in his place behind Apple's Jade (fifth) in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (2m4f, good) and unlikely that gap can be plugged upped in journey.

Form: 12930-5

Faugheen⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| BF| C| D

7/2

Veil slipped here a year ago in spectacular fashion and appeared to be on the wane. Roared back to form winning Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in April (sole start over 3m). Second in the 2m Morgiana last month, staying hurdles his new domain now.

Form: 1P261-2

Jezki^b²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 148| C| D

25/1

Former Champion Hurdler, won over this trip at Punchestown in 2015 but well beaten off behind Faugheen there last season. No match for Apple's Jade in 2m4f Navan Grade 2 last month on respective seasonal debuts, best days appear behind him.

Form: 41P0-20

Shaneshill²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

33/1

Smart and versatile sort who never got to win a Grade 1 hurdle contest at his best. Has plenty to find with a selection of these rivals on his 2018 form over variety of trips and easier to oppose here.

Form: 4P3-388

Apple's Jade^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| CD

8/13

Perhaps the best mare in training, she won a third Hatton's Grace this month in imperious style, putting her spring festival disappointments firmly behind her. 3m may not be optimum trip, but she was gutsy to snatch this from fire a year ago.

Form: 1133-11

Forecasts

Apple's Jade (8/13), Faugheen (7/2), Bapaume (8/1), Cracking Smart (10/1), Early Doors (22/1), Jezki (25/1), Shaneshill (33/1)

Last year's winner Apple's Jade looked better ever when winning that Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse on her reappearance. She scrambled to win this contest a year ago and it remains to be seen if the trip sees her to best effect. At the prices, it might be worth siding with FAUGHEEN to turn her over. He was superb at Punchestown on his only try over this trip and the Morgiana showed plenty ability, if a little less speed, remains in his armoury. A year on from his nadir at this track, he could sparkle once more. It would prove a letdown if something else wins, but Bapaume and Cracking Smart may be best-placed to take any crumbs offered down.