Allman Contracts Novice Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 22.80s

Ballykinlar^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁷⁾| T: D Duggan| OR: 122| D

14/1

Progressing well over hurdles. Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdle at Sligo last month and still in good form when fourth of 11 in handicap hurdle (7/2) at Kilbeggan (16f, good) 22 days ago. Back up in trip and should hold his on return to novice company.

Form: 261114

Strong Link⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 131| D

9/4

Bumper winner at Wexford in May. Looked a useful prospect when winning on hurdles bow and improved again to land the hat-trick in a 9-runner novice hurdle at Galway (20.7f) 58 days ago, staying on to win by 1¼ lengths from Cameletta Vega. Should go on improving as he bids for a 4-timer.

Form: 232-111

Carrigg Island^h⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Gary Noonan⁽³⁾| T: E McCarthy| OR: 123

13/2

Won a maiden hurdle at Limerick on debut but hung away his chance at Killarney. Has quickly resumed progress on right-handed tracks, shaping better than the result when fifth of 9 to Strong Link in novice hurdle at Galway (20.7f). Can be competitive if handling the return to a left-handed track.

Form: 1-525

Costacurta³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 122| BF

17/2

Visually impressive when off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in May, but that form has taken a few knocks. Lost all chance when hampered in a novice hurdle (18.9f) at the same track last month and could get back on track over this slightly longer trip.

Form: 2-13

Kainsbourg^p,t⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 122

12/1

Solid form in stronger maidens prior to making the most of a good opportunity when winning a 7-runner maiden hurdle at Tramore (16.2f) in May. Disappointed at Roscommon (15.9f) the following month but better expected back up in trip following a break.

Form: 4243-14

Mick Collins^h,t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 123| BF

11/1

Fairly useful winner at 12f on Flat. Runner-up behind a well-bred prospect at Galway in July and best forgiven latest fourth of 6 in handicap hurdle (15/8) at Ballinrobe (18.3f, good) 33 days ago, doing too much too soon. Place claims if ridden with more restraint over this longer trip.

Form: 6-51224

Cameletta Vega⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 121| BF

13/8

Off the mark in good fashion on hurdles debut, beating subsequent 4-time winner Emily Love. Travelled best only to be worn down late by Strong Link when second at Galway in July. Sure to improve and may be able to reverse that form on better terms here.

Form: 1748-12

Forecasts

Cameletta Vega (13/8), Strong Link (9/4), Carrigg Island (13/2), Costacurta (17/2), Mick Collins (11/1), Kainsbourg (12/1), Ballykinlar (14/1)

CAMELETTA VEGA travelled best when runner-up in a strong novice hurdle at Galway in July and on better terms, she's fancied to reverse the form with fellow improver Strong Link who arrives in search of a 4-timer. Kainsbourg may prove best of the rest stepping back up in trip following a break.