Bluegrass Horse Feed Novice Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 20.1s

At The Acorn^t²⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam McKenna| T: A J Martin| BF| D

11/1

Good winner of 21.5f Fairyhouse novice chase in January and not seen to best effect in hot Leopardstown handicap next time. Remains with potential, not least over hurdles (only third run over them).

Form: 684616-

Commandingpresence³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

11/10

Second in point before a deeply impressive winning debut over hurdles at Punchestown (20.3f, soft, 14/1) 33 days ago, forging ahead under this rider, not fluent last but well clear. Good prospect.

Form: 2-1

Slige Dala^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

9/4

Much improved this term, winning a couple of bumpers and impressing with his attitude as he got off the mark over hurdles at Listowel (20f) at the first time of asking a fortnight ago. More to come.

Form: 23-111

The Little Yank⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J P Ryan| OR: 119| BF

7/1

Bumper winner. Fairly useful maiden hurdler. Good third of 11 in handicap hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good to soft, 11/4) 7 days ago. Longer trip fine but a bit more needed to strike in this company.

Form: F5-2243

Formal Order^p,t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M J Smith

40/1

Fairly useful on the Flat and made a successful debut over hurdles over this trip at Punchestown last week, leading late off slow pace. Open to progression but big leap forward needed in this.

Form: 1

Etincelle Lioterie^p,t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Kennedy| T: J P O'Brien

12/1

Off the mark at Downpatrick in July. 18 lengths fifth of 7 to Buildmeupbuttercup in listed mares event (18/1) at Gowran (16f, good to soft) last week. More needed.

Form: 4/4-4415

Fairyhill Run²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: B J Cooper| T: J P Ryan| OR: 109

16/1

Won mares' maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe last month. 9/2, creditable third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (20f, good) 20 days ago. This is much tougher.

Form: 955-313

Forecasts

Commandingpresence (11/10), Slige Dala (9/4), The Little Yank (7/1), At The Acorn (11/1), Etincelle Lioterie (12/1), Fairyhill Run (16/1), Formal Order (40/1)

COMMANDINGPRESENCE ran out an impressive winner of a Punchestown maiden last month and looks a good prospect. He's quickly stepped upped in class and can follow up, perhaps at the main expense of Listowel-winner Slige Dala. The classy At The Acorn makes just his third start over hurdles on his return and could have a big prize in him this season.