www.fairyhouse.ie Hurdle

Off time: 11:55 | Winning time: 5m 22.50s

Easy Game¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142| D

6/1

Not disgraced but well held in a couple of Grade 1 contests over hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring. On balance probably has something to find in this contest.

Form: 31183-7

Mister Blue Sky¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| C

4/1

Won 1m2f handicaps at Windsor and Sandown in 2017 for Sylvester Kirk before joining current yard for 130,000 gns. Winner of a Grade 2 contest at this venue before finding the step into Grade 1 company at Punchestown in April a little beyond him.

Form: 121-3

Honeysuckle²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 150| CD

3/10

Has done nothing wrong since winning a Thurles Listed contest in December last year, going on to win at Grade 3 level before a facile victory in the Grade 1 Mares' novice hurdle over C&D in April. Sets the standard.

Form: 1/1111-

Le Hachette¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 99| BF

50/1

One from 18 over hurdles but not disgraced in a number of starts since July. Looks a little vulnerable in this company.

Form: 252628

Rippon Lodge¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 98

100/1

Hints of ability in a number of career starts over hurdles since debut 12 months ago. Needs to take a big step forward to get competitive at this level.

Form: 37-3F63

Forecasts

Honeysuckle (3/10), Mister Blue Sky (4/1), Easy Game (6/1), Le Hachette (50/1), Rippon Lodge (100/1)

The unbeaten HONEYSUCKLE returns for her seasonal debut. The daughter of Sulamani should be too strong for her four rivals following on from her Grade 1 victory over C&D in April. Mister Blue Sky, the mount of jockey Paul Townend can emerge as the biggest danger to the mare. The five-year-old has a couple of gallant Grade 2 and Grade 1 efforts to his name in the spring and can compete with stablemate Easy Game for remaining prize money.