Jack McInerney Memorial Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:19 | Winning time: 4m 1.70s

Murcia^t²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

10/3

Respectable eighth in Fred Winter before improving to win Boodles juvenile Grade 1 at Aintree (17f). No excuses when fourth behind Lulamba in a deeper Grade 1 at Punchestown last time. Concedes weight all around but still merits respect with sights lowered on reappearance.

Form: 182814-

Barrys Spirit⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: G P Cromwell

40/1

Excuses in bumpers and took a big step forward in making a successful hurdling debut at Downpatrick (17.3f), seeing off his more-experienced stablemate. Upped in grade but remains open to improvement.

Form: 941

I'm Slippy²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| CD

2/1

Overcame inexperience to win a valuable 17-runner bumper at Fairyhouse in April and made the most of a good opportunity when winning hard held on hurdles bow at this track (16f), impressing with his athleticism for jumping. Open to progress and should take this step up in class in his stride.

Form: 1-1

Piccolo Player¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: J P Ryan| OR: 110| D

100/1

Built on promising debut with a smooth-travelling success in a 14-runner novice hurdle (8/1) at Limerick (16f, heavy) 11 days ago. That was an ordinary maiden but he won readily and has earned a crack at something better.

Form: 61

Talk The Talk⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Ewing| T: J P O'Brien| D

2/1

Shaped well when runner-up in a valuable bumper at Newbury in March for Stuart Crawford and looked potentially useful when making a winning stable/hurdle debut (following 7 months off) at Limerick (16.3f) last time. In excellent hands and there should be better to come. Leading contender.

Form: 2-1

Wendrock²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 132| D

7/2

Useful effort when staying-on sixth in Fred Winter (16.4f) last season. Hasn't matched that form since, again needing a greater test of stamina on reappearance at Down Royal. Kept to 2m for now and interesting to see if he's ridden more aggressively in this small field with Jack Kennedy back aboard.

Form: 17653-7

Forecasts

Talk The Talk (2/1), I'm Slippy (2/1), Murcia (10/3), Wendrock (7/2), Barrys Spirit (40/1), Piccolo Player (100/1)

Runner-up in a strong bumper last season, TALK THE TALK looked potentially useful when making a successful hurdle debut at Limerick and he's narrowly preferred to I'm Slippy who created an excellent impression when making the most of a good opportunity at this track on hurdles bow. Murcia concedes weight to the boys but returns in much calmer waters, her yard bidding for a third successive win in this race.