Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 8.30s

Scardura^t1¹⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130| D

5/1

Landed a gamble on debut for current yard at Taunton last time on penultimate start before having limitations exposed at Cheltenham in November; holds Festival entries and will need to run well in first-time tongue tie to keep entries.

Form: PF-515

Arcadian Sunrise²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D F O'Regan| T: J Queally| OR: 120| D

9/4

Has been progressing nicely over hurdles, winning at Thurles before putting in a fair effort in better race at Naas last time; hard to underestimate.

Form: F31213

Funky Dady⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 116| D

4/1

Enjoyed step back to this trip to win well at Fairyhouse last month; this is much tougher but going in the right direction and difficult to leave out of calculations.

Form: F00631

Sonnenkonig²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington

20/1

Seems to be taking his time over hurdles judged by his two disappointing efforts to date; well regarded by connections and too early to dismiss but more racecourse evidence needed of his ability.

Form: 506

Good Luck Hope⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 105

25/1

Has had plenty of opportunities and failed to take any of them too date; drop back in trip looks more of hope than expectation and others preferred.

Form: 73-870

It Could Be You⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: T Mullins

33/1

Not disgraced on hurdles debut recently at Fairyhouse and has plenty of scope for improvement but looks an unlikely winner based on that performance though any market moves should be noted.

Form: 86

Barnaviddaun⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| BF

15/8

Much improved effort last time out at Fairyhouse when chasing home Funky Dady over this trip on heavy ground and big weight reversal here; should go well and certainly one to consider.

Form: P/54742

Forecasts

Barnaviddaun (15/8), Arcadian Sunrise (9/4), Funky Dady (4/1), Scardura (5/1), Sonnenkonig (20/1), Good Luck Hope (25/1), It Could Be You (33/1)

SCARDURA holds plenty of Cheltenhgam entries and if still aimed at the Festival then he should be good enough to win this contest devoid of any really unexposed types. The six-year-old won well at Taunton last year but was below par when attempting a Grade 2 event for the first time. If reproducing the form of his win then he may prove hard to beat. Barnaviddaun was beaten by Funky Dady but on the revised weights, the seven-year-old should have the beating of his rival. Arcadian Sunrise looks to be progressing nicely and if continuing his improvement then he can play a major role.