Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 52.2s

Dancing City⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins

16/1

Bumper winner who left hurdling debut form behind when winning 10-runner maiden hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy, 9/4) just under 7 weeks ago, leading final 100 yds and well on top finish. Should be suited by this extra distance and is likely to progress further.

Form: 12/12-51

I Will Be Baie³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

15/2

Point winner who showed useful form in bumpers and quickly proved himself as good over hurdles with an impressive display after 3 months off at Fairyhouse (20.6f, heavy) last month. Sure to progress and win more races, but jockey bookings suggest there could be a couple ahead of him here.

Form: 1/D121

Loughglynn³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/1

Bumper winner who made it 2-2 in this sphere when taking 7-runner Grade 2 hurdle (9/4) at Limerick (23f, heavy) by a length from Stellar Story on St. Stephen's Day, leading approaching 2 out. Open to further improvement.

Form: 6/19-11

Predators Gold³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

1/1

Bumper winner at Punchestown last April and impressed on his hurdles bow/return at the same course (19.4f, soft) in November. Found only the exciting Caldwell Potter too strong at this course (16f, heavy) over Christmas and he looks the pick of Willie Mullins' quartet with Townend back on.

Form: 1-12

Stellar Story^p1³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

12/1

Dual bumper winner who also made a successful hurdling debut at Navan in November. 3/1, placed in another Grade 2 when length second of 7 to Loughglynn at Limerick (23f, heavy) on St. Stephen's Day. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 511-132

Jetara³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 142| C

3/1

Has returned an improved model this season, completing a hat-trick in 8-runner Grade 3 Irish EBF Mares' Hurdle (5/2) at this course (20f, soft) just over 5 weeks ago by 7½ lengths from Pink In The Park, kept up to work. Has to be taken seriously getting weight from her 5 rivals.

Form: 0P-8111

Forecasts

Predators Gold (1/1), Jetara (3/1), Loughglynn (7/1), I Will Be Baie (15/2), Stellar Story (12/1), Dancing City (16/1)

Another Dublin Racing Festival in which Willie Mullins looks set to dominate and PREDATORS GOLD looks the strongest of his quartet in the opening contest having pulled clear with the exciting Caldwell Potter in the Future Champions Novices' Hurdle here over Christmas. The selection's stable companions Loughglynn and I Will Be Baie are both unbeaten over hurdles and they can provide most resistance.