W.T. O'Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 57.01s

Cardamon Hill²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott

6/1

Improved on his fair bumper form to make a winning start over hurdles in 14-runner maiden at Tramore (21.8f, heavy) 21 days ago, readily. Open to improvement.

Form: 42-3221

Meetingofthewaters²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 112

20/1

Showed a good attitude to make a successful handicap debut at Cork in December and backed that up with a good third (4/1) at Limerick (20f, heavy) 26 days ago. Faced with a stiffer task on these terms, though.

Form: 653813

Santonito^p⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

5/2

Fairly useful in bumpers and showed improved form to get off the mark over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces in 18-runner maiden at Clonmel (19.1f, heavy) 45 days ago. Up in trip. Outstanding claims.

Form: 221-421

Embassy Gardens²⁴

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

5/6

Fairly useful bumper winner and has matched that form over hurdles, including when fourth of 12 in maiden at Leopardstown (20f, soft, 3/1) 24 days ago. Stable having good spell. Booking of Townend a plus.

Form: 15-24

Kilbree Warrior^b,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Richard Condon⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 109| BF| D

10/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Winner at Fairyhouse in December but found things a lot tougher under a penalty in Limerick handicap (20f, heavy) since.

Form: F34217

Forecasts

Embassy Gardens (5/6), Santonito (5/2), Cardamon Hill (6/1), Kilbree Warrior (10/1), Meetingofthewaters (20/1)

SANTONITO displayed a tremendous attitude to get back up at Clonmel last month, especially having been badly hampered 2 out, so the follow up looks on the cards providing he sees out the longer trip. Embassy Gardens is considered the main threat, though Cardamon Hill shouldn't be taken lightly after creating a good impression on his Tramore hurdling debut.