Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 52.5s

Ballyoisin²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: E Bolger| OR: 142| BF| D

15/8

Better known as a chaser than a hurdler, and would be receiving 8lb from Davids Charm (who he finished fifth behind most recently) if this were a handicap. Work to do to finish in front of that rival.

Form: 1115-15

Davids Charm²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Phillip Enright| T: J J Walsh| OR: 150| D

6/4

Career-best last time when winning competitive handicap at Listowel (2m; yielding). Had won a quality handicap at Killarney (1m6f; soft) prior to that, so has to be respected. Only needs to step up slightly on form.

Form: 960-541

Petit Mouchoir^p¹⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 155| D

3/1

Top-class at his best, but had a quiet season last year. Now returns to the track with something to prove, but he is 5lb clear of his nearest rival on ratings, so is potentially well treated on these terms.

Form: 4/6304-4

Plinth^b,t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 126| CD

40/1

Reverts to hurdles after finishing runner-up at Kilbeggan (2m4f; soft) over the larger obstacles most recently. Usually tends to come up just short at this level, and lacks the class of some of his rivals. Seemingly the stable third string.

Form: U15P82

Winter Escape¹⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: A A Howard| OR: 141| D

16/1

Makes seasonal reappearance, but was pulled-up when last seen in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown (3m; yielding to soft). Best to forgive that run, given the tremendous season he had enjoyed. Goes well fresh and is dangerous to dismiss.

Form: 11153-P

Like An Open Book⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: M P Burke| T: J M Burke| OR: 122| D

66/1

Plenty to find on official ratings with her rivals despite receiving weight, and she was beaten fair and square when last pitched into this company over C&D in July. Very hard to make a convincing case for.

Form: 5-55335

Forecasts

Davids Charm (6/4), Ballyoisin (15/8), Petit Mouchoir (3/1), Winter Escape (16/1), Plinth (40/1), Like An Open Book (66/1)

A decent renewal of this Grade 3 contest, in which plenty of these have something to prove. That statement does not apply to Davids Charm, who achieved a clear career-best when taking his form to a new level over hurdles last month. He finished in front of Ballyoisin then, and should confirm that form on these terms. Winter Escape signed off his 2018-19 campaign on a sour note when pulling-up at the Punchestown Festival, but isn't totally ruled out. However, a tentative vote is given to Petit Mouchoir who, on his day, is head and shoulders above his rivals, and can get his season off to a winning start in a race which represents a drop in class.