W.T. O'Grady & E.J. O'Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 5m 46.70s

American Jukebox^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| D

15/2

Point runner-up from family yard know well. Fairly useful form in bumpers and much improved from hurdles debut (cheekpieces on for first time) when decisive winner of a Tramore novice (21.6f, soft), well-suited by emphasis on stamina. May do better again with headgear retained.

Form: 2426/71

Daydream Nation³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Harvey| T: William Harvey

7/1

Point winner who made impressive winning start in 12-runner novice hurdle (9/4) at Gowran (20.2f, soft) and improved when third under a penalty in a novice hurdle (9/2) at Newbury (20.5f, good to soft) 32 days ago. Still very early days and step up in trip should suit.

Form: 221/13-

Espresso Milan³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

5/6

Fair form in bumpers for Fergal O'Brien and looked the part prior to making a successful hurdle debut for Willie Mullins in 8-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (16f, heavy) last month, finding plenty for pressure. Pedigree/run-style suggest he'll relish this markedly longer trip. Sure to improve.

Form: 427/1

Long Branch²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: S Neville| OR: 112| CD

11/1

Consistent prior to finding marked improvement to get off the mark in a 9-runner novice hurdle at this course (22.5f, soft) 29 days ago. Stamina clearly his strong suit and may be better off in handicaps over further.

Form: 6/34541

Sept Etoiles²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 124

9/2

Debut fourth has worked out well and he improved as expected for the longer trip when landing 18-runner novice hurdle (11/2) at Down Royal (20.1f, soft) 23 days ago, keeping on well. In excellent hands and can progress again upped further in distance.

Form: 41

Minella Emperor²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr M J O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: E Mullins

17/2

Fairly useful bumper winner who has shaped with plenty of encouragement both starts over hurdles, improved third of 13 in maiden hurdle (11/1) at Limerick (21.4f, heavy) 21 days ago. That race often falls to a useful type and he makes plenty of appeal in receipt of weight from the field.

Form: 351P43

Forecasts

Espresso Milan (5/6), Sept Etoiles (9/2), Daydream Nation (7/1), American Jukebox (15/2), Minella Emperor (17/2), Long Branch (11/1)

Historically a race worth following and this may go the way of two-time bumper winner MINELLA EMPEROR who improved from hurdles debut to finish third in a useful maiden at Limerick and receives a handy 5 lb from the field. Last-time-out maiden winners Espresso Milan and Sept Etoiles represent powerful yards, and both can improve for this step up in trip.