UCC Horse Racing Society Hurdle

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 4m 2.7s

Dr Mikey³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: Ms M Flynn| OR: 138| CD

7/4

Dual hurdles scorer caused an upset on chasing bow when winning at Gowran Park in November (beat Cheltenham Festival winner A Plus Tard). Hasn't gone on from that, but finds a decent opportunity back over timber. C&D winner on heavy going last year.

Form: 4661F4

Poly Rock^h¹⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

8/1

Decisive winner of a Clonmel maiden over this trip a year ago on heavy going. Can be forgiven poor finishing effort over 2m4½f at Galway in October on sole outing since and could still have plenty more to come for champion trainer.

Form: 1-5

Avenir D'Une Vie¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 134| D

12/1

Not seen over hurdles since spring of 2017, has been toiling in some decent handicap chases this season so far, doesn't make dramatic appeal switched back to this sphere.

Form: 1U2-940

Dolciano Dici¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134| D

9/2

Ran well in a Naas Grade 3 over timber (2m, soft to heavy) in January 2018 after joining champion trainer from France. Hasn't happened over fences this term, no forlorn chance back in this field over smaller obstacles.

Form: 4-47P56

Landofhopeandglory^b,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 145| D

6/4

Grade 3 winner over both hurdles and fences; has been shaping like a return to form may not be far away this season over fences. Impossible to rule out now back over timber.

Form: U0-0562

Forecasts

Landofhopeandglory (6/4), Dr Mikey (7/4), Dolciano Dici (9/2), Poly Rock (8/1), Avenir D'Une Vie (12/1)

C&D winner Dr Mikey hasn't gone on from an impressive start to his chasing career this season (beat a subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner), but he's afforded respect back over timber here and will act on the ground. The same can be said of POLY ROCK, who looks best-placed of the Willie Mullins pair here. He possibly didn't stay at Galway on his seasonal bow in the autumn and is better judged on his easy Clonmel maiden success. Landofhopeandglory isn't out of this should be quickly adapt to hurdling again.