Guinness Novice Hurdle

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 5m 4.60s

Jon Snow³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129

2/7

Winner on the flat in France before being switched to this yard. Well beaten as favourite at the Curragh on return to action last month on the Flat. Suited by the return to hurdling with a solid rating.

Form: 3321-

Rebel Gold^h,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: P D Kennedy| T: T Foley| OR: 117

17/2

Off the mark at the sixth time of asking over hurdles following a couple of solid effort in March. More needed but looks a progressive type.

Form: 00532-1

Belfast Banter²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 124

5/1

Winner of a Newton Abbot bumper around this time last year when in the care of trainer Dan Skelton. Best effort for current connections at Bellewstown earlier this month. One to keep safe.

Form: 12F54-2

Love The Melody^h,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: D F O'Regan| T: N Lee

50/1

Winner of a bumper at Wexford at second time of asking for previous yard 12 months ago. Well beaten and never nearer on comeback at Ballinrobe recently.

Form: 717-8

Non-Runners

The Very Man¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Forecasts

Jon Snow (2/7), The Very Man (11/8), Belfast Banter (5/1), Rebel Gold (17/2), Love The Melody (50/1)

The Gordon Elliott-trained THE VERY MAN could take all the beating if turning up here following a ready victory in the Listed Novice hurdle over 2m½f on Wednesday. The six-year-old who was eased on the run-in close home, can win for the fifth race in a row at the expense of the Willie Mullins-trained Jon Snow, winner last time out at the Curragh in June in a 2m contest on the Flat. Belfast Banter for trainer Peter Fahey and Rebel Gold for Thomas Foley can compete for the minor honours.