Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 23.07s

Rockymountainbleu⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell

9/2

Twice-raced winner over hurdles. Third of 8 in minor event in this sphere at Punchestown (16.6f, soft, 40/1) 42 days ago. Rider takes off a handy 7 lb but this demands more.

Form: F/72-13

Blue Mosque⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 119| D

6/5

Successful only start in bumpers in the spring and, following 7 months off, made a winning start in this sphere in 14-runner mares' maiden at Cork (20f) in November. Struggled to land a blow in Grade 3 at Navan (20f) later that month but this more suitable back from a break.

Form: 1-15

Disco Dancer^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 117| CD

5/2

Fairly useful hurdler. Running creditably when fell last in listed hurdle (17/2) at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) 22 days ago. Pick of form gives her good claims in this line-up.

Form: 43254F

Half A Chance²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss T L Cogan

5/1

Fair form on first of 2 starts in bumpers and improved when winning 9-runner novice hurdle (25/1) at Limerick (16.4f, soft) in May. Looks sure to improve from that and this low-mileage sort is respected back from 7 months off.

Form: 28-1

Forecasts

Blue Mosque (6/5), Disco Dancer (5/2), Rockymountainbleu (9/2), Half A Chance (5/1)

This looks trappy but HALF A CHANCE impressed when making a winning hurdles debut at Limerick back in May and, in receipt of weight all round, he's given the nod to come out on top with progress anticipated. Blue Mosque shades things for the forecast spot ahead of Disco Dancer.