RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle

Off time: 19:48 | Winning time: 5m 32.60s

Happy Jacky¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁷⁾| T: M Fahey| OR: 143| BF| CD

1/1

Smart hurdler. Winner of this race last year. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, good third of 25 in handicap at the Curragh (16f, good, 20/1) 12 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. The one to beat.

Form: 5271-37

Major Barry⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Kieren Buckley| T: P Kiely| OR: 110| C

40/1

Unreliable type. Course winner. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, possibly amiss when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Bellewstown (24.5f, good, 14/1) 6 days ago, pulled up quickly 4 out.

Form: 1796-7P

Tag Man^p1,t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mike O'Connor| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 130| D

8/1

Useful chaser. Two wins from 5 runs last season. 9/4, second of 4 in minor event hurdle at Wexford (24f, good to soft) 44 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 92130-2

Jimmybrien^p⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ms H Phillips⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Phillips| D

150/1

Lightly-raced maiden under Rules. Ninth of 14 in novice hurdle at Wexford (20.8f, good to soft, 150/1) on hurdles bow 7 days ago, well positioned. Uphill task.

Form: 473P-09

Prairie Dancer^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 133| C

6/1

Useful chaser. Course winner. Two wins from 6 runs last season. 3/1, creditable second of 8 in minor event hurdle at Clonmel (19.9f, good to soft) 35 days ago. Back up in trip and should make his presence felt.

Form: 11F4-72

Reverend Hubert¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 140| D

2/1

Useful chaser. Two wins from 5 runs last season. Creditable ninth of 25 in handicap (25/1) at the Curragh (16f, good) 12 days ago, slowly away. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Couldn't rule out.

Form: 3/11U65-

Forecasts

Happy Jacky (1/1), Reverend Hubert (2/1), Prairie Dancer (6/1), Tag Man (8/1), Major Barry (40/1), Jimmybrien (150/1)

The vote goes to HAPPY JACKY, who is taken to repeat his 2024 success in this race. The 11-y-o hit the target over fences during the spring and warmed up for this with a solid effort on the Flat recently. Prairie Dancer and Tag Man both found just one too good last time and are feared most in that order of preference. That said, Reverend Hubert could also get in on the action if he puts his best foot forward.