Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 5m 5.6s

An Tobar⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| BF

8/1

Twice-raced winner over hurdles. 5/2, 2¾ lengths third of 8 to Farren Glory in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 40 days ago. Up in trip. Should progress.

Form: 1/13

Chapeau De Soleil³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/1

Promise in 2 starts in bumpers and had little fuss landing 17-runner novice at Clonmel (19.1f, heavy, 4/6) on hurdles bow 36 days ago, cruising clear. Open to significant progress.

Form: 1/20-1

Croke Park⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| D

14/1

Runner-up only start in bumpers and he arrives here having made it 2-2 over hurdles when landing 6-runner Grade 3 Monksfield Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy, 4/6) 49 days ago by 3¼ lengths from Mel Monroe. Jumped soundly then and possibilities upped further in class.

Form: 21/211

Firefox⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

15/8

Useful, 3-time winner in bumpers who impressed on all fronts when making a successful switch to hurdling at Fairyhouse last month, jumping/travelling well and always having matters in hand. Well worth his place at this higher level and leading claims up in trip.

Form: 4211-11

Ile Atlantique⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

6/4

Promising type. Career best when winning 15-runner novice hurdle at Gowran (16f, heavy, 4/9) on hurdles bow 62 days ago, soon clear. Up in trip and worth considering with good deal more expected.

Form: 3/122-1

Lecky Watson³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins

14/1

Useful bumper performer who tasted success on hurdles bow at Thurles (23f) in November and built considerably on that when second in Navan Grade 2 (20f, heavy) 5 weeks ago, keeping on despite taking a strong hold. Type to do better again.

Form: D245-12

Readin Tommy Wrong⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins

16/1

Authorized gelding who was 2-2 in bumpers and though made to work harder, maintained his 100% record when successful in a Cork maiden on hurdles debut in November. Step up to 2½m ought to suit on pedigree and very good prospect for all this rates a whole lot tougher.

Form: 2/111

Forecasts

Ile Atlantique (6/4), Firefox (15/8), An Tobar (8/1), Chapeau De Soleil (11/1), Lecky Watson (14/1), Croke Park (14/1), Readin Tommy Wrong (16/1)

FIREFOX, a useful 3-time winner in bumpers, marked himself down as one more than capable of making his mark at this level when successful on hurdles bow at Fairyhouse 6 weeks ago and earns the vote now upped in trip. Ile Atlantique, a similarly exciting prospect, may well emerge as the chief threat following his facile hurdles debut victory at Gowran. Croke Park could do best of the others in a race very much one to note.