John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle

Winner of maiden hurdle at Down Royal in May but ran poorly on first run since leaving P. Kiely when eighth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Tramore (16.8f, soft, 40/1) 11 days ago. Needs to leave that form well behind.

Much improved under change of tactics when second of 8 in handicap hurdle (12/1) at this track (15.8f, heavy) 60 days ago. Leading claims if in similar form in change of headgear.

Finished respectable fourth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Galway (16.7f, soft) on final start for R. Mike Smith in August 2023 but unsurprisingly needed the run (50/1) on reappearance/stable debut. Market can guide on second start for new yard.

Useful handicapper on Flat (stays 13.5f) but offered little on first run for yard after leaving Mrs J. Harrington with tongue strap on first time (retained). On a workable mark in this sphere but has questions to answer.

Won twice over 2m at Tramore (hurdles/fences) last season but added to a patchy record when ninth of 10 in handicap chase at Killarney (17f, good, 12/1) 144 days ago. Worth a market check off lower hurdles mark following a break.

Sixteenth of 17 in handicap hurdle (66/1) at this course (16.2f, good to soft) 90 days ago. Badly out of sorts.

On long losing run and disappointing on both starts for new trainer. Returned to this course (scene of sole win) needs to spark a revival.

At long odds, showed improved form on handicap debut (race not ideally run to suit) when sixth of 18 in handicap hurdle (100/1) at Leopardstown (16f, good) 17 days ago. Claims if she can build on that.

Well beaten in pair of maiden hurdles this winter. Still a maiden over hurdles but returns to a handicap and could be more competitive on a going day.

Maiden hasn't been well placed in either handicap start, shaped better than result when ninth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (20.2f, soft, 10/1) 30 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Down in trip but could be in better heart than recent form figures suggest.

Some promise in maidens but didn't improve on handicap bow when fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Navan (16f, heavy) 29 days ago, left in frame last. Needs to take a step forward.

Has been brought along gradually in maidens, sixth of 19 at Cork (16.9f, soft) 36 days ago, not knocked about. Makes handicap hurdle debut and may well do better (full brother to one who improved for handicaps).

Useful winner at 1m on Flat. Harshly dealt with my handicapper in this sphere but did shape better than result when seventh of 18 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 30 days ago, having hopeless task from position. Remains to be seen if he can build on that.