Markaye Contracts Ltd Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 42.9s

The Little Yank¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Liam Quinlan| T: J P Ryan| OR: 130| C

9/1

Registered a third win of a busy season in 4-runner novice hurdle at this course (20.1f, good to soft) 14 days ago, keeping on well. Respected.

Form: 073331

Captain Conby²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: K C Sexton| T: E Sheehy| OR: 128

11/8

Progressed again when winning 6-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (20.3f, soft, 4/1) 24 days ago, readily. Should progress further.

Form: 28-1F1

Ferdia¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Philip Donovan| T: J P Ryan| OR: 118

66/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 26 lengths third of 4 to The Little Yank in novice hurdle (20/1) at this course (20.1f, good to soft) 14 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 383753

Berkshire Royal²⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

9/2

Useful winner at 12f on Flat and created a good impression when winning 8-runner novice at Kilbeggan (19.3f, good) in May. Off since but there's more to come from him.

Form: 0/1

Gatsby Grey^h1,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B Browne| T: O McKiernan

8/1

Bumper winner who created a good impression when making a successful hurdling debut after 10 months off at Limerick (19f). Well held in Grade 1 at Leopardstown since but this is easier. Hood on.

Form: 1-17

The Goffer³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott

5/2

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. Fourth of 7 in minor event hurdle at this course (23f, good to soft, 8/1) 32 days ago. Trainer going well. Likely to continue in form.

Form: 3-7144

Forecasts

Captain Conby (11/8), The Goffer (5/2), Berkshire Royal (9/2), Gatsby Grey (8/1), The Little Yank (9/1), Ferdia (66/1)

BERKSHIRE ROYAL ran out a taking winner of a Kilbeggan novice in May, and with further progress on the cards, he can defy another absence. Captain Conby was value for a good deal more than the winning margin at Punchestown last time and is open to further improvement, with The Goffer also well respected.