Seamus Mulvaney Bookmaker, Crockafotha (Q.R.) Race

Off time: 20:19 | Winning time: 2m 46.39s

(3)

Arch Empire¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr H C Swan| T: G Elliott

10/3

Fairly useful winner at 17f over hurdles. Wasn't far off that level when third of 13 in maiden at Leopardstown (15f, good to firm, 9/1) on Flat debut 14 days ago, though better placed than most. Lightly-raced and could step forward from that run.

Form: 3

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(4)

Gorthill^t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr D McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: Caroline Mccaldin

66/1

Point winner in March. Fair form when second of 8 in hunter chase at Downpatrick (28.8f, good, 11/2) 41 days ago. Looks set for a minor role on Flat debut.

Form:

(2)

Lark In The Mornin³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr J L Gleeson| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 91| BF

4/11

1m debut winner on the Flat back in 2022. 2024 Boodles hurdle winner didn't progress as expected over hurdles last season but ran well back on the Flat when third of 9 in a conditions race (7/4) at Listowel (13.4f, good) 32 days ago. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 14/3

(5)

Weston^t⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr D Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: H Rogers| OR: 89

15/2

Dual Flat winner in Germany and once useful on Flat for Gordon Elliott. Way below that on latest Flat start over 1m for current connections but shaped better on handicap hurdle debut when third at Fairyhouse (16.1f) 73 days ago. Remains to be seen if he can translate that form back onto the Flat.

Form: 00/406-0

(1)

Wonderwalk^h²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr B M Coonan⁽⁷⁾| T: V C Ward| OR: 37

200/1

Modest filly again showed little when 50/1, tenth of 11 in handicap at Leopardstown (9f, soft) 21 days ago. Significantly back up in trip but is difficult to fancy.

Form: 0080-90

Forecasts

Lark In The Mornin (4/11), Arch Empire (10/3), Weston (15/2), Gorthill (66/1), Wonderwalk (200/1)

2024 Boodles winner LARK IN THE MORNIN hasn't progressed as expected over hurdles but ran well back on the Flat last month and should take the beating in a modest event. Arch Empire wasn't far off his hurdles form when third on Flat debut last month and he may provide the main threat, though Weston, who shaped better over hurdles last time, would be interesting if retaining some of his old Flat ability.