O'Kelly Brothers Demolition Hurdle

Off time: 13:33 | Winning time: 5m 59.09s

Bois De Clamart^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R Deegan| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 134| D

11/1

Three-time winner last term. Last of 4 in minor event hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy, 11/2) 48 days ago. Needs a revival but has a good chance on these terms if bouncing back.

Form: 3211-54

Longhouse Poet^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M Brassil| OR: 142| D

5/1

Won valuable Thyestes handicap chase at Gowran in January, jumping well. Sixth in the Grand National after and presumably that is the aim again. 20/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (23.9f, good to soft) on return 36 days ago, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out.

Form: 1/7176-P

Pinkerton^t1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: N Meade| OR: 136

4/6

Promising sort. 5/1, good second of 17 in valuable handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 22 days ago. Up in trip. Tongue strap on 1st time. Improving and difficult to oppose on these terms.

Form: 1133-32

Elusive Guy³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 114| C

25/1

Won 14-runner novice hurdle at this course (16f, heavy, 22/1) on hurdles bow 34 days ago. Up in trip. Open to improvement but this is much tougher.

Form: 3-0481

Summer Melody²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Philip Byrnes⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes

3/1

Won Navan bumper on return. Seventh of 23 in novice hurdle (3/1) at Navan (20f, heavy) on hurdles bow 29 days ago. Yard in good form. Should progress.

Form: 44-17

Forecasts

Pinkerton (4/6), Summer Melody (3/1), Longhouse Poet (5/1), Bois De Clamart (11/1), Elusive Guy (25/1)

The improving PINKERTON can give Noel Meade a third straight win in this contest. He's held his own in strong handicaps this term and has plenty going for him up in trip. Bois de Clamart needs a revival but has good claims if bouncing back. Thyestes-winner Longhouse Poet made a tame return at Punchestown but clearly has the class to be a big factor if stripping fitter from that.