ITM Stallion Trail Hurdle

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 4m 27.6s

Aramax¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| D

6/1

Won for Guillaume Macaire at Vittel last June but not in contention when falling on only subsequent appearance at Leopardstown in December; hard to assess with market being a good guide.

Form: 31F

Gealach¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

9/4

Was without a win on the Flat in five appearances; put all known form behind him when winning well at Punchestown late last year; looks to be progressive and every chance now he knows what is expected of him.

Form: 6841

Wolf Prince¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| CD

9/10

Progressive on the Flat without winning, and built on a promising hurdles bow when winning a Fairyhouse maiden by 14L in December; ran well in defeat next time out at Leopardstown and is respected in this company.

Form: 312

Hammersmith⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash

33/1

Winner of one of his 12 starts on the Flat, rated 81 at best; no real show on hurdles debut here in December; entitled to improve but will need to in order to have a decent chance.

Form: 8

Takarengo⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: T Mullins| BF

9/1

Improved to win last two starts on the Flat at around 1½m, both on heavy ground in September/October; two solid hurdling performances to date (placed both times), open to improvement and likely to go well receiving weight from some of his rivals.

Form: 33

Dear Miriam¹⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: P Griffin

100/1

Just one win from eight starts on the Flat for Mick Channon; seems the type to be suited to a switch to hurdling but this looks a tough ask on her debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Wolf Prince (9/10), Gealach (9/4), Aramax (6/1), Takarengo (9/1), Hammersmith (33/1), Dear Miriam (100/1)

It took a while for GEALACH to get the hang of hurdling but progressed well to win last time out at Punchestown. The gelding looks currently on the upgrade and will not have to improve too much to land this. Stablemate Aramax was a winner in France last July but fell on her Irish debut on Boxing Day. He should be better for that run. Wolf Prince is another with winning form and did so over course and distance in December. Not disgraced when upped in class next time he is one to consider.