Byrne Marquees Hilltown Hurdle

Off time: 18:51 | Winning time: 6m 11.0s

Count Simon^b,p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| D

5/6

Winner of three of his 16 starts over hurdles with the Rip Van Winkle gelding hitting the frame on a further eight occasions. Capable of landing his third win over timber in a row.

Form: 3221-11

Macgiloney²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 118| C| D

2/1

Course winner that has also won over this trip landing a Cork maiden hurdle in May, the geldings first win over timber in ten starts. Could emerge as a big danger.

Form: 23P-715

Make My Heart Fly^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 130| D

4/1

Solid winner of four of her 16 starts over hurdles. Going well when leading before falling at the last on return to action last month at Down Royal. Market likely to be the best guide.

Form: 24335-F

Artic Quest¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: J A Berry| OR: 87

100/1

Nine-race maiden over hurdles and looked a little overwhelmed in a number of starts last summer and fell 40L behind the winner of a Wexford novice hurdle on seasonal return last month. Looks up against it here.

Form: P48P0-6

Hague Convention¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr N Gault⁽⁷⁾| T: S Millar

33/1

Improved performance on stable debut in a Down Royal maiden hurdle last month finishing sixth of 19 beaten 4½L. Steps up in trip and improvement needed if he is to play a role in the finish.

Form: P/P-6

Forecasts

Count Simon (5/6), Macgiloney (2/1), Make My Heart Fly (4/1), Hague Convention (33/1), Artic Quest (100/1)

The Gordon Elliott-trained COUNT SIMON can land a hat trick of wins over hurdles coming here on the back of a couple of solid wins at Perth and Down Royal. The Rip Van Winkle gelding can see off the attentions of stablemate, Make My Heart Fly who was going best of all before falling two out at Down Royal last month and Macgiloney, from the Denis Hogan yard.