Joe Cooney Memorial Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 40.03s

Mengli Khan^p,t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 141| CD

17/2

Took advantage of a good opportunity to score over C&D last month in a contest worth 8k, beating Jaime Sommers 1L. Well held over the larger obstacles at the Galway festival last month, more at home in these calmer waters.

Form: 6333-16

Dolciano Dici^p1³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: R K Watson| OR: 133

80/1

134-rated handicap hurdler but failed to make the grade in a number of starts for trainer Willie Mullins. Well held in a couple of starts for current connections and first-time cheekpieces unlikely to inspire improved effort.

Form: 64/5446-

Ornua³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D Robinson⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136

9/2

Winner of a couple of races over hurdles from eight starts but is more at home over the larger obstacles. Well held in a Grade 3 contest at Tipperary in June and may be better suited at this level.

Form: 8032-83

Sayo^p1⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

10/11

Well beaten in two recent hurdle starts since March, producing better efforts on the Flat over 1m2f at the Curragh in June. Market likely to be the best guide.

Form: 8P300-8

Jaime Sommers²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe| OR: 125| CD

5/2

Milan mare ran a solid race when fifth over extended 2m at Galway Festival before running well in defeat when trying to make all on the Flat at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Form: 4453-22

Non-Runners

Mister Blue Sky¹²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Danny Mullins

Forecasts

Sayo (10/11), Mister Blue Sky (9/4), Jaime Sommers (5/2), Ornua (9/2), Mengli Khan (17/2), Dolciano Dici (80/1)

The Willie Mullins pair both come here with live chances. The 142-rated Sayo should give a good account under champion jockey Paul Townend, as should Mister Blue Sky, out of luck in a couple of starts on the Flat recently. The Gordon Elliott-trained, MENGLI KHAN will be more at home back over hurdles and a C&D recently conquered last month, beating Jaime Sommers, 1L. The seven-year-old has held his form this year, running well in defeat in a couple of Grade 3 contests. The Henry De Bromhead-trained Ornua should not be taken lightly