Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 5m 4.8s

Concertista²⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

6/4

A remarkable second on hurdles debut in the Dawn Run in 2019 before going one place better 12 months on at the Festival, storming 12 lengths clear. The one to beat on first run for 8 months.

Form: 2/4331-

Minella Melody³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 140| C| D

13/8

Useful hurdler. Course winner. Off 8 months, 13/8, 4¾ lengths second of 4 to Beacon Edge in Gr 3 hurdle at Galway (20.7f, heavy) 34 days ago. Should be cherry-ripe now.

Form: 31110-2

Carrigeen Lotus³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss E A Lalor| T: R H Lalor

16/1

Off 9 months, 5/2, improved when winning 11-runner novice hurdle at Galway (16f, heavy) on hurdles bow 34 days ago, battling well. Up in trip. More to come.

Form: 0213-1

Etincelle Lioterie^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J P O'Brien

100/1

Winner in hurdle at Downpatrick in July. 12/1, fell 3 out in listed hurdle at Limerick (21f, heavy) 48 days ago won by Formal Order. Difficult ask.

Form: 4-4415F

Place Des Vosges²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M Fahey| OR: 123

28/1

Fairly useful Flat winner. Won 13-runner novice hurdle at Thurles (16f, soft, 4/1) 23 days ago. Up in trip. Open to progress.

Form: 21

Queens Brook²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| BF| C

10/3

6/5, very good head second of 8 to Skyace in Irish EBF Mares Novices' Hurdle at Down Royal (16.4f, soft) 29 days ago, making effort earlier than ideal, caught close home. More to come up in trip.

Form: 3/113-12

Forecasts

Concertista (6/4), Minella Melody (13/8), Queens Brook (10/3), Carrigeen Lotus (16/1), Place Des Vosges (28/1), Etincelle Lioterie (100/1)

CONCERTISTA slammed a big field in the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen and is the one to beat on that form stepped back up in trip on her return. Queens Brook has made a bright start in this sphere and looks the danger with more progress on the cards. Minella Melody was back on track on her reappearance at Galway and completes the shortlist.