Joe Cooney Memorial Hurdle

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 4m 41.60s

Tombstone^p1,t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| D

5/1

Possibly did not take too kindly to the big field in the Grade A Galway hurdle last week, losing his place after the first circuit. Better than that run suggests and one for the shortlist in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 3615-40

Conrad Hastings³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 127| CD

13/8

Course winner that has also won over this trip. Won for the third time over the larger obstacles in June and the Flemensfirth gelding will be worth a check in the betting back over hurdles.

Form: P/384-16

Westland Row^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| C

7/2

Winner of three of his 13 starts over hurdles the Oscar gelding was last seen winning a Kilbeggan beginners contest over 2m6f last month. Major player back over hurdles.

Form: 2F2-U31

Drumcliff^t³⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: N P Madden| T: A A Howard| OR: 139| D

12/1

50% strike rate of three wins from six starts over fences the Presenting gelding is still looking for his first win in seven over hurdles. Not seen for over 12 months at last years Galway festival and makes stable debut here.

Form: 114P/1F-

Flindt¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 121| C

3/1

Mixed bag since winning a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle in April including finishing sixth of 14 at the Galway festival last month. Looks a progressive type but more needed in this company.

Form: 1-536

Flirting Lesa^h¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Hayes| D

33/1

Recent starts on the Flat at Killarney and at the recent Galway festival lacked any hint of ability from the daughter of Flemensfirth. Looks up against it on hurdling debut.

Form: 4/UPP-13

Forecasts

Conrad Hastings (13/8), Flindt (3/1), Westland Row (7/2), Tombstone (5/1), Drumcliff (12/1), Flirting Lesa (33/1)

TOMBSTONE can get back to winning ways in this hotly-contested renewal. The nine-year-old started the year against the likes of Champion hurdler, Espoir D'Allen and Apple's Jade, more recently in Grade 3 and Grade 2 contests before finding life difficult in the 18-runner Grade A Galway Hurdle last week. The gelding has the class of race, a right handed track and an undulating track in his favour here and can take the prize ahead of stablemate, Westland Row and the Henry De Bromhead-trained Conrad Hastings.