WKD Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 9.40s

Triplicate^t²⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 141| D

5/1

Won twice last year in soft ground and not disgraced in a pair of defeats in Grade 1 company subsequently; excellent chase if ready after long absence and has run well in small field contests in the past.

Form: 112245-

Coeur Sublime¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| BF| CD

7/4

Just won the one race last season but ran very well in defeat on most occasions including when runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham; has run well fresh in the past and holds every chance on the best of his form.

Form: 12F423-

Coko Beach¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: R M Power| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

9/4

Ran some good races in defeat last season apart from when outclassed in Grade 1 contest at Punchestown; returned to that track in mid-October to easily win a conditions event; more needed here but is on the upgrade for sure.

Form: 1932-51

Western Victory¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D Queally| OR: 138| BF| D

11/4

Made an impressive debut for this stable when winning by 11L in a conditions hurdle over an extended 2m5f at Galway (soft) in September and followed up over 2m at Gowran Park in a Listed contest; needs to bounce back from recent setback at Limerick.

Form: 260-115

Laureate^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: A W Short| T: C A McBratney| OR: 95

100/1

Plenty to find on official ratings and would be a surprise to see her currently being good enough to win at this level.

Form: 522685

Forecasts

Coeur Sublime (7/4), Coko Beach (9/4), Western Victory (11/4), Triplicate (5/1), Laureate (100/1)

COEUR SUBLIME returns after the summer and can make more progress as a hurdler. He has run well first time out in the past so fitness should not be an issue. He is the marginal selection over Triplicate who found things tough in Grade 1 company last season but should find this a little bit easier. It is hard to write off the chance of Coko Beach who showed a good attitude when winning recently at Punchestown and may have the fitness edge over his rivals. The mare Western Victory needs to put a slightly disappointing run last time out at Limerick behind her but if doing so then she may be capable of springing a minor surprise.