Close Brothers Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 3m 57.5s

Emily Moon¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 133| D

9/1

Up and down season includes wins at Naas and Limerick (both 2m) but has come up short in graded races at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse (2m4f, good to yielding) latest. More needed here.

Form: 561P10-

Moskovite^p1¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 127| D

22/1

Navan maiden winner over 2m4f earlier in the season, twice run well in Grade 1 stayers contests at Clonmel and Limerick but since pulled up in hot Fairyhouse race. Drops right back in distance now, hard to fancy.

Form: 21135P-

Allez Dance⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| CD

12/1

French import, landed maiden hurdle here in February on first start for new trainer. Bit disappointing since in Cheltenham Grade 2 novices' contest, must show a bit more.

Form: FF95-10

Black Tears¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| D

9/4

Smart form this season, twice second in maiden hurdles (including here) before scoring at Fairyhouse. Close 2L fourth in Cheltenham Grade 2 novices' contest and seemingly didn't stay 2m4f since. Big player back down in trip.

Form: 2-22145

Deadringerforlove⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| D

25/1

Useful bumper form, made winning start at Chepstow in March to land Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2m, good, good to soft) in March. Open to improvement and interesting UK trainer picks this target.

Form: 4481-

Elfile¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| C

9/10

Winner of 2m4f maiden here in January (good) and since run very good races at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) and Fairyhouse (2m4f, good to yielding); latest when closest pursuer behind impressive Grade 1 winner Honeysuckle. Ruby Walsh takes over.

Form: 121/162-

Rhythm Divine²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: T Gibney

16/1

Finished 7L third behind Elfile over 2m4f here in January before joining this trainer. Placed twice since in maiden company and needs to step up on that now.

Form: 553332-

Forecasts

Elfile (9/10), Black Tears (9/4), Emily Moon (9/1), Allez Dance (12/1), Rhythm Divine (16/1), Moskovite (22/1), Deadringerforlove (25/1)

They've twice clashed this spring already and the score is level (though neither has in fact won), and this may come down to Elfile and BLACK TEARS. Willie Mullins' mare reversed Cheltenham form at Fairyhouse but a return to 2m could help turn the tables once again in favour of Davy Russell's mount; though it's a close call. Possible improver Deadringerforlove heads the dangers.