Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 6m 50.40s

Battle Of Midway¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade

4/1

Impressive figures of two wins from three starts over hurdles since October when landing the spoils in a Galway 2m3f maiden on soft/heavy ground before a neck defeat of Definite Plan at Fairyhouse last month. Claims on his biggest test so far.

Form: 315-121

Alpine Cobra²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: K J Brouder| T: C Byrnes

8/1

Off the mark at the fourth time of asking over hurdles when landing a Punchestown maiden over 2m6f on soft ground last month beating Fully Charges 1½L. Possibly has more to offer and likely to go close once again.

Form: 41/F-431

Shanwalla²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr L P Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 125

16/1

Four-race maiden over hurdles but the Dubai Destination gelding is strong on consistency hitting the frame on each of his starts since September. Liable to find a couple stronger once again.

Form: 212333

Vis Ta Loi²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

10/3

Sets the standard following a pleasing hurdling debut in a Clonmel 2m3½f 13-runner maiden on soft/heavy ground last month. The Smadoun gelding made virtually all that day and it may turn out to be much of the same here.

Form: 3/1

Well Set Up³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M Fahey| OR: 130| CD

2/1

Showed she had progressed over the summer when winning a maiden hurdle at Roscommon in late September before a pleasing run at Limerick and a win over C&D early last month. Will look to continue progression in this contest.

Form: 542-121

Larquebuse^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| D

5/1

Will have pleased connections on hurdling debut when finishing fourth of 12 in a Cork maiden over 2m4f before dead-heating with Lunch In Adare at Fairyhouse last month. More needed in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 322-141

Forecasts

Well Set Up (2/1), Vis Ta Loi (10/3), Battle Of Midway (4/1), Larquebuse (5/1), Alpine Cobra (8/1), Shanwalla (16/1)

Trainer Willie Mullins has landed the spoils in this contest in three of the last five renewals. The yard are represented by VIS TA LOI who impressed when winning a Clonmel maiden hurdle over 2m3½f on soft to heavy ground last month beating the Henry De Bromhead-trained Arahecan (second of 17 at Clonmel, Thursday) into second. The five-year-old, who runs in the colours of Hurricane Fly can add to his tally at the expense of the Mark Fahey-trained Well Set Up who has won tow of his three starts over hurdles since September including a C&D win last month. Battle Of Midway and Alpine Cobra should not be underestimated.