Joe Mac Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 54.9s

Turnpike Trip²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: K J Brouder| T: C Byrnes| D

6/4

No fluke about his win last time out when turning over odds-on favourite at Listowel (2m; good) in taking fashion. Posted a fine run in 'Listed' company when second at Galway (2m; good) the time before that, so is a legitimate contender.

Form: 121

Way Back Home^p,t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 136| D

3/1

Standout contender on form given that he won a Grade 3 and then finished fourth in the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown (2m; good to yielding) on his last run over hurdles in May. Fit from the flat, and should be tough to beat.

Form: 53114-4

Popong⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 126

11/2

2-4 over hurdles, and drops back in trip after a disappointing show at Galway (2m4f; good) in August. That was the best race he had contested strength-wise, so he has something to prove pitched into a Grade 3 for the first time.

Form: 1-215

Razoul²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Donagh Meyler| T: R P Cody| OR: 128| D

7/2

Followed-up facile Kilbeggan (2m; good) victory in July, with an impressive display at Listowel (2m; yielding) where he put the race to bed with a quick turn of foot. Stepping up in class again as he chases the hat-trick.

Form: 522211

Rips Dream²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: R M Power| T: P J Flynn| D

20/1

Won in good style on hurdles bow at Wexford (2m; good) last month. This represents an entirely different test on just his second start over hurdles. Market check advised.

Form: 1

Do Ya Feel Lucky⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D H Kelly| OR: 99| D

66/1

Very disappointing since switched to handicaps the last twice. Has plenty to find on ratings, and she would have to produce a career best to feature which doesn't look forthcoming. Impossible to fancy.

Form: P31436

Tara Dylan¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 122

20/1

One time winner from 21 starts over hurdles, and was pulled-up last time out at Ballinrobe (2m6f; good). Doesn't have an overly appealing profile and looks vulnerable to less exposed rivals. Look elsewhere for stronger alternatives.

Form: F9214P

Forecasts

Turnpike Trip (6/4), Way Back Home (3/1), Razoul (7/2), Popong (11/2), Tara Dylan (20/1), Rips Dream (20/1), Do Ya Feel Lucky (66/1)

An interesting little contest, despite the small field, in which WAY BACK HOME is fancied to get his season off to the perfect start. The selection won in this grade as a juvenile hurdler last season, and then wasn't beaten that far behind the hugely exciting Fusil Raffles at the Punchestown Festival in May. There are no worries about his fitness, since he has had a couple of runs on the level to prepare him for this. Turnpike Trip brings 'Listed' form into this contest after he finished second to Fast Buck at the Galway Festival before regaining the winning thread at Listowel most recently. Razoul is also worth a mention as he steps up into graded class for the first time.