Irish Examiner Novice Hurdle

Off time: 17:38 | Winning time: 5m 2.4s

Arch Empire²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 120

6/1

Lightly raced over hurdles. Winner in hurdle at Ballinrobe in April. Still in contention when fell heavily 2 out in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16.1f, soft, 10/1) 21 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: FS/641F-

Carrigg Island³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Gary Noonan⁽⁵⁾| T: E McCarthy

20/1

Won 10-runner novice hurdle (66/1) at Limerick (21.3f, good to soft) on NH debut 32 days ago, having benefit of enterprising ride.

Form: 1-

St Cuthbert's Cave^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr J H Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 119

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 2/1, career best when winning 16-runner novice hurdle at Kilbeggan (19.4f, good to soft) 17 days ago, kept up to work.

Form: 4323F1-

Reiki Revolution¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell

22/1

Thrice-raced winner in bumpers. One win from 3 runs last season. Winner in bumper at Galway in October. Makes hurdles debut. Up in trip. First run for yard after leaving John Joseph Hanlon.

Form: 515-

Sober²⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

4/11

Smart at best on the Flat for A. Fabre (left for €115,000 in October). Rates an exciting hurdles prospect.

Form:

Forecasts

Sober (4/11), Arch Empire (6/1), St Cuthbert's Cave (6/1), Carrigg Island (20/1), Reiki Revolution (22/1)

SOBER was a dual Group 2 winner on the Flat for Andre Fabre and rates an exciting hurdling prospect starting out for his all-conquering yard. Gordon Elliott's pair Arch Empire and St Cuthbert's Cave are both fairly useful and can follow the selection home.