Defender Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:33 | Winning time: 6m 33.90s

County Final^t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: E McNamara| OR: 126

9/4

Promising sort. Won Navan maiden before good second of 9 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.9f, soft) 33 days ago, clear of rest despite needing stronger gallop. Significantly up in trip. May well do better.

Form: 8512

Kazansky¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott

9/2

Point winner at third attempt. Booked for second when brought down last on hurdles debut and was fortunate to be left in front late when winning 19-runner novice hurdle at Cork (16.9f, soft, 3/1) 19 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Should progress.

Form: 521-B1

The Big Clubman⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: P Nolan

2/1

Runner-up in a point before winning 13-runner novice hurdle at Wexford (16.7f, soft, 11/2) on NH debut. Excellent effort when second of 7 to Kalypso'chance in Monksfield Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy) 40 days ago, Sets the standard.

Form: F/2-12

Yeshil⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Slevin| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 124

4/1

Runner-up in valuable sales bumper at Punchestown in April last year. Progressed from his hurdling debut when winning 5-runner novice hurdle (4/6) at same course (20.8f, heavy) 43 days ago. Step forward needed again but he's open to progress.

Form: 2/8-1

Barra Rua¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: E Mullins| OR: 119

8/1

Has made all in a bumper and maiden hurdle at Tramore this autumn and would have held on for second without late mistakes when 9 lengths third of 5 to Good Girl Kathleen in Gr 3 hurdle at Cork (24.4f, soft) 19 days ago. Perhaps vulnerable to potential improvers.

Form: 431313

Non-Runners

Santo Sospir³⁴

Weight: 11-3| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Alex Harvey

Forecasts

The Big Clubman (2/1), County Final (9/4), Yeshil (4/1), Santo Sospir (4/1), Kazansky (9/2), Barra Rua (8/1)

An interesting race, all of these appealing as open to some kind of improvement, but THE BIG CLUBMAN sets the standard on his second in the Monksfield and Paul Nolan's gelding should have the longer trip in his favour. County Final is most feared after a good effort in handicap company last time, with Santo Sospir also shortlisted.