Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 4m 16.0s

Anything Will Do³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 136| CD

11/2

Won four times over hurdles in just five starts since September; likes to front run and may be hard to peg back if given an easy lead; excellent chance.

Form: 13111

Andy Dufresne²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| BF| D

8/15

Possibly failed to stay last time out at Navan when sent off odds-on; his style of jumping suggests this is very much his trip and he could prove hard to beat.

Form: 1/1-12

Meticulous^t³⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P E Corbett| T: J P O'Brien

25/1

Made a winning debut and then finished second in a Leopardstown Grade 2 on his third start. Still not disgraced when eighth of 14 in the Cheltenham Bumper in March; tough ask on hurdles debut but not without a chance.

Form: 1428-

Shanroe^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| D

100/1

Made it a hat-trick of wins with 6L victory in 2m Perth bumper in June, and going well when brought down on hurdles debut at Catterick. Level of ability possibly found out at Leopardstown in December when struggling to compete.

Form: 31-11B7

Captain Guinness²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

10/3

Caused an upset when winning on his debut at Navan in December (albeit taking advantage of a fall by a long odds-on favourite); should be fitter and sharper here and has an outstanding chance.

Form: 1

The Little Yank⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam Quinlan| T: J P Ryan| D

40/1

Improved with each bumper run before scoring at both Tipperary and Cork in October; has put in two decent hurdles runs to date but will need to improve again to play a leading role in this.

Form: 21162

Forecasts

Andy Dufresne (8/15), Captain Guinness (10/3), Anything Will Do (11/2), Meticulous (25/1), The Little Yank (40/1), Shanroe (100/1)

ANDY DUFRESNE is highly regarded by connections and has the experience and ability to land this fascinating contest. The six-year-old got outstay close home last time but this shorter trip gives him a chance to better utilise his cruising speed and economy over hurdles. The main danger could come Captain Guinness who put in a fine performance on his hurdling debut at Navan in December and while this represents a big step up in class, he should go well. Meticulous is an interesting contender given his high grade bumper form and it will be no surprise if he is ready for this on his debut.