O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 15.30s

Blue Lemons³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

2/1

Useful 7f/1m performer on Flat for Richard Hannon and looked a good prospect for his new handler when ready winner of juvenile hurdle at Gowran Park in February. Pulled up in the Triumph Hurdle next time but this is not so taxing and he's unexposed in this sphere.

Form: 1P

Ephesus^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel King| T: D Hogan| OR: 122

11/1

Fairly useful Flat winner who opened his hurdles account at the fourth attempt when making all in a 17f Limerick maiden earlier this month. This is more demanding.

Form: 3231

Holy See^p¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Philip Byrnes| T: W Durkan| OR: 118

18/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in France who gave a decent account of himself when in the frame on first 2 starts over hurdles. Another decent effort when third of 15 in a Ballinrobe maiden (16.8f, good) recently but a sizeable step forward will be needed if he's to take this.

Form: 424P3

Its Bilbo³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 129| BF

2/1

Improving sort who landed juvenile hurdle at Punchestown in November. Built on that when 10¼ lengths fifth to Hello Neighbour in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and then went close back from a break at Limerick (16.2f, good to soft) last month. Merits respect.

Form: 4-152

Messerschmitt¹¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Sexton| T: N Meade| OR: 123| D

16/1

Fairly useful winner on the Flat and opened his hurdles account when landing a 17-runner Galway juvenile in October. Below par in a listed event at Limerick last time, though, and looks vulnerable here.

Form: U135

Wendrock¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| D

7/2

Shaped well both starts on the Flat for Lucinda Russell last year and built on abundant hurdles debut promise when landing a Leopardstown maiden during the Christmas period. Has acquitted himself well in better company since and he sets the standard.

Form: 31765

Preparations¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Cian Quirke| T: A Slattery| D

16/1

No great shakes on the Flat but was a tidy winner on latest start in that sphere during the autumn and looks destined for bigger and better things in this sphere judged on hurdles recent debut success at Limerick (2m, good to soft). Not to be underestimated.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Blue Lemons (2/1), Its Bilbo (2/1), Wendrock (7/2), Ephesus (11/1), Messerschmitt (16/1), Preparations (16/1), Holy See (18/1)

This represents a sizeable step up in class for PREPARATIONS but she did the job well when outpointing an odds-on shot from the Joseph O'Brien yard on her recent debut in this sphere at Limerick and there is surely better to come from this filly. Blue Lemons didn't measure up to market expectations at the Cheltenham Festival but his sights are now lowered and he remains of interest, while Wendrock boasts solid form claims and Its Bilbo is also in with a shout.