BetVictor Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 23.1s

Ash Tree Meadow^h,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

4/7

11/8 and hood/tongue strap on for 1st time, confirmed previous promise when won 19-runner maiden hurdle at Navan (20f, soft) 19 days ago, well on top finish. Likely to improve.

Form: 61-331

Ferdia²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 118

20/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 250/1, out of depth when tailed-off fifth of 7 to Dysart Dynamo in Moscow Flyer Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown (16f, heavy) 25 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 438375

Il Courra⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C W J Farrell| OR: 121

13/2

Latest win in hurdle at Kilbeggan in September. 33/1, sixth of 8 in novice chase at Leopardstown (21f, soft) 44 days ago. Switches back over hurdles.

Form: 2-15656

The Little Yank⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 125

11/4

Fairly useful hurdler. Ran right up to his best when third of 24 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (24f, good to soft, 80/1) 5 days ago. Shortlisted on his twentieth start of the season.

Form: 407333

Forecasts

Ash Tree Meadow (4/7), The Little Yank (11/4), Il Courra (13/2), Ferdia (20/1)

ASH TREE MEADOW confirmed previous promise upped in trip when running out a decisive winner of a Navan maiden sporting a first-time hood/tongue tie last month. With further improvement on the cards. Gordon Elliott's charge can defy a penalty. The Little Yank ran right up to his best at Leopardstown 5 days ago so he's selected for the forecast spot.