David Sweeney Memorial 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 18.10s

An Bradan Feasa¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

5/2

Half-brother to fairly useful 17f hurdle winner Custom of The Sea (by Soldier of Fortune). Finished only mid-division in maiden sole start on Flat but could do better now jumping.

Form:

Giselles Defence⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Ricky Doyle| T: G P Cromwell

11/2

Fair maiden on Flat, stays 1½m, good effort last time. Could be a factor on hurdle debut.

Form:

Golden Temple^b³²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

3/1

Fairly useful maiden on the Flat who showed some aptitude for hurdling when fourth of 12 in juvenile at this course (16.6f, good) on NH debut 32 days ago. Sets the standard on that run, albeit not a high one. Blinkers on for 1st time over jumps.

Form: 4

Pigeon House²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: Mrs J Harrington

9/1

Fair maiden on the Flat but well held completed start over hurdles.

Form: U4

Annalough^t1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Daniel King⁽⁵⁾| T: M M McNiff

66/1

Little solid form on Flat so easily passed over on hurdle debut.

Form:

Expelliarmus⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| BF

5/2

Closely related to useful 2m hurdle winner Common Practice. Fair form on Flat, stays 1¼m. Failed to meet expectations on handicap debut last time but good chance she'll make a hurdler.

Form:

Millennium Rose¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott

14/1

8/1, showed a bit of promise when fifth of 8 in juvenile hurdle at Down Royal (16.9f, good to soft) on NH debut 14 days ago. May do better.

Form: 5

Forecasts

An Bradan Feasa (5/2), Expelliarmus (5/2), Golden Temple (3/1), Giselles Defence (11/2), Pigeon House (9/1), Millennium Rose (14/1), Annalough (66/1)

EXPELLIARMUS failed to meet expectations on her most recent Flat outing, but there's every chance she'll take to this discipline being closely related to useful 2m hurdle winner Common Practice, so she earns the vote. Golden Temple sets the standard on his run here last month, albeit not a high one, while An Bradan Feasa needs considering, too.