Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 4m 19.5s

Better Days Ahead^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| D

3/1

Useful hurdler. 1 win from 3 runs this season. 5/1, very good fourth of 5 to Slade Steel in Navan Novices' Hurdle at this course (20f, heavy) 42 days ago. In the mix.

Form: 210-F14

Asian Master³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr T Costello⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| D

4/6

First run since leaving A. G. Costello when winning 15-runner novice hurdle (7/1) at Thurles (15.9f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 34 days ago. Exciting prospect and the one to beat.

Form: 5D11-41

Fiveonefive⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 125| D

5/1

Useful hurdler who gained his third win of the season in 9-runner novice hurdle (8/15) at Hereford (16.2f, good) 75 days ago. Should go well again.

Form: 121631

Just Three^h²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J G Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 107

50/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Hooded for 1st time, very good third of 4 in minor event hurdle (40/1) at Limerick (20f, heavy) 24 days ago. More is needed here, though.

Form: 24593

Release The Beast⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P Nolan| OR: 123| D

12/1

Debut winner in maiden hurdle at Galway in October but only eighth of 11 in novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (19.8f, soft, 17/2) 49 days ago. Worth another chance.

Form: 18

Forecasts

Asian Master (4/6), Better Days Ahead (3/1), Fiveonefive (5/1), Release The Beast (12/1), Just Three (50/1)

ASIAN MASTER made the perfect start for Willie Mullins when going in at Thurles and is hard to look beyond with a fair bit of improvement in the pipeline. Fiveonfive has the form to play a big part too and rates the chief threat ahead of Gordon Elliott's Better Days Ahead.