BetVictor Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 46.9s

Flame Bearer^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Doyle| T: P M J Doyle

1/1

Promising type. 6/5, career best when winning 17-runner novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, good to soft) 29 days ago, forging clear. Tongue strap back on and he looks the one to beat on form.

Form: 2/11-531

Ha D'Or^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

3/1

Progressive sort who posted career best when easily winning 17-runner novice hurdle (1/4) at Fairyhouse (16f, good to soft) 29 days ago. Stable having good spell. Solid claims.

Form: 135-21

Hiaou⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

8/1

Off the mark with stylish win in 19-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (16f, heavy, 11/8) 42 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Sure to go well again.

Form: 3B1

Meet And Greet¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B Browne| T: O McKiernan| C

10/3

Fairly useful hurdler. 9/2, career best when winning 25-runner novice hurdle at this course (15.6f, soft) 15 days ago, well on top finish. Open to progress.

Form: 2158-31

Nechako⁷⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: J J Hanlon

250/1

Champs Elysees gelding. Closely related to 2 winners and half-brother to 3 more on Flat, including smart 7f-1½m winner Raincoat. Dam 11f winner. Appeals on paper but this is a tough introduction.

Form: P/

Non-Runners

Titan Jack⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 14

T: Gearoid Brouder J: G P Brouder

Forecasts

Flame Bearer (1/1), Ha D'Or (3/1), Meet And Greet (10/3), Hiaou (8/1), Nechako (250/1), Titan Jack (250/1)

FLAME BEARER looked a good pospect when forging clear of a big field at Fairyhouse last time and is fancied to take this step up in class in his stride. Willie Mullins' Ha D'Or also has better days ahead of him and rates a big threat with Hiaou also not taken lightly on the back of his taking Punchestown victory.