Randox Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 11.6s

Churchtown Ruby^h⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: D Queally| D

8/1

Lightly-raced mare who landed 11-runner novice hurdle at Tramore (16.8f, good to soft, 5/2) 8 days ago. More is needed under her penalty however.

Form: 723-61

Frontline Worker¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 108| D

11/4

7/2, career best when winning 20-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (16.5f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Can do better still, so needs considering.

Form: 388-1

Lieutenant Highway^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Corey McGivern⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 104

10/3

Fair hurdler. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, career best when winning 14-runner novice hurdle (3/1) at Clonmel (19.4f, good) 31 days ago. Holds solid claims.

Form: 33335-1

The Abbey¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Simon Torrens| T: G Elliott| OR: 101

9/2

Fair hurdler. Winner at Clonmel in May. Creditable fifth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Limerick (22f, good to soft, 17/2) 17 days ago. Back down in trip but not discounted.

Form: 5560-15

Florey Spud⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Orr| T: P F O'Donnell| OR: 97

22/1

Modest hurdler. 40/1, very good sixth of 13 in novice hurdle at Ballinrobe (17.1f, good) 40 days ago. Has plenty to find on form though.

Form: 66P99-6

Minella Youngy²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 105| BF

11/4

Fair hurdler. Good second of 14 in juvenile hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good to soft, 5/2) 24 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 74078-2

Forecasts

Minella Youngy (11/4), Frontline Worker (11/4), Lieutenant Highway (10/3), The Abbey (9/2), Churchtown Ruby (8/1), Florey Spud (22/1)

FRONTLINE WORKER took a big step forward when opening her account at Punchestown and with more improvement on the cards she can follow up at the chief expense of Gordon Elliott's duo Lieutenant Highway and The Abbey who can chase home Henry de Bromhead's progressive mare in that order.