BARONERACING.COM Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 12.30s

Ballyadam²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

8/15

£330,000 4-y-o, Fame And Glory gelding. Confirmed debut promise when winning bumper at Downpatrick in March and made a seamless transition to hurdling when easily scoring at Down Royal last month.

Form: 131-1

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Cask Mate^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 138| D

8/1

Useful hurdler who followed up from his reappearance win with an even more impressive display at Punchestown (20.6f, soft, 9/2) 32 days ago by 10 lengths from Dewcup. Not finished improving yet.

Form: 2222/11

Dewcup^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR: 137| D

18/1

Useful hurdler. 10/3, creditable 3½ lengths second of 5 to Fury Road in Celebration Hurdle at Punchestown (21.6f, heavy) 14 days ago. Back down in trip. Likely to find a couple too good in here.

Form: 13-1122

N'Golo^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

9/2

Fairy useful form over hurdles. Tongue strap on for 1st time, career best when winning 8-runner For Auction Novices' Hurdle at Navan (16f, soft, 9/1) 21 days ago by 1½ lengths from Annexation.

Form: 1P11

One Down²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| D

50/1

Improved from winning debut when third of 7 in minor event hurdle at Sligo and ran to similar level upped in grade behind the re-opposing N'golo at Navan last time. Hard to make a case for here.

Form: 413-134

The Very Man^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| D

18/1

Useful hurdler. 14/1, back on track before unseating rider 2 out in handicap hurdle at Down Royal (16.4f, heavy) 29 days ago, set to go close. One of 3 for Gordon Elliott and holds each-way claims.

Form: 11-114U

Annexation²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

16/1

Twice-raced winner over hurdles. 12/1, improved on debut effort when 1½ lengths second of 8 to N'golo in For Auction Novices' Hurdle at Navan (16f, soft) 21 days ago. Should have more to offer.

Form: 12

Forecasts

Ballyadam (8/15), N'Golo (9/2), Cask Mate (8/1), Annexation (16/1), Dewcup (18/1), The Very Man (18/1), One Down (50/1)

It's hard to get away from Gordon Elliott's exciting prospect BALLYADAM, who made a seamless transition to hurdling last month and bids to follow in high-class stablemate Envoi Allen's footsteps here. Cask Mate is suddenly thriving and could be the one to give the selection most to think about, ahead of The Very Man.