BAR 1 Betting Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 5m 4.9s

Ballyburn²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| BF| D

13/8

High-class novice hurdler in 2023/24. Strong at the finish when landing a Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown (21.5f) in February but not in the same form over 3m at Cheltenham/Punchestown. Only a 7-y-o and could be the one to beat if back to his best (dropped in trip) on return to hurdles.

Form: 1/12152-

Casheldale Lad^h³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 146

10/1

Progressed following his third in a strong Galway Hurdle, winning a listed handicap at Listowel prior to following up in straightforward fashion in a 3-runner listed hurdle at Downpatrick last month. In excellent heart but faces a different test pitched into a Grade 1.

Form: 521-311

Glen Kiln⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: D H Kelly| OR: 145| C| D

28/1

Much improved when enduring a luckless return at Tipperary. Made amends at Punchestown prior to finishing best of the rest behind the outstanding Lossiemouth in a 4-runner Morgiana last time. Likely to fall short again in Grade 1 company.

Form: 8P1-U12

Maxxum¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| CD

28/1

Slow start to last season but proved as good as ever when landing a pair of Grade 2 victories either side of a disappointing run in the Coral Cup. Should come on for his reappearance at Navan earlier this month but will probably have to settle for minor honours in this company.

Form: 461P1-4

Mystical Power^h²⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151

11/1

Smart novice hurdler in 2023/24, runner-up in the Supreme before going one better in Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown. Bitterly disappointing in three starts last season (pulled up in the Stayers' at Cheltenham latest). In the right hands but returns with something to prove.

Form: 211/66P-

Teahupoo²¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| CD

1/1

Winner of this race in 2022/2023 and only bettered by Lossiemouth in last year's renewal. Did little wrong in defeat when runner-up at Cheltenham and underlined his consistency at the top level when defending his Punchestown Stayers' crown in May. Excellent record fresh and has strong claims again.

Form: 111/221-

Forecasts

Teahupoo (1/1), Ballyburn (13/8), Casheldale Lad (10/1), Mystical Power (11/1), Maxxum (28/1), Glen Kiln (28/1)

Comfortably the best novice hurdler of the 2023/24 season, BALLYBURN didn't hit the same heights over fences but could be the one to beat returning to hurdles. He's narrowly preferred to Teahupoo, who was denied a hat-trick in this Grade 1 by the outstanding Lossiemouth last year and looks sure to run another big race.