John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 52.70s

Home By The Lee^b²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 159| D

3/1

Smart hurdler. Visored for first time, creditable 15¼ lengths fourth of 8 to Teahupoo in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (23.4f, good, 12/1) 25 days ago, racing lazily. Blinkers back on. Solid claims eased slightly in class.

Form: 11UP6-4

Rocky's Diamond²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR: 153| CD

11/4

Smart hurdler. C&D winner. Visored for first time, well-beaten sixth of 8 to Teahupoo in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (23.4f, good, 16/1) 25 days ago, going off too hard and also jumping sketchily. Win this race a year ago and a danger to all on that level.

Form: 40/1246

Franciscan Rock^b,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Gavin Brouder| T: M F Morris| OR: 141| D

14/1

Useful hurdler. Blinkered for first time, bit below form ninth of 16 in handicap hurdle (50/1) at Leopardstown (20.5f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Not out of this on pick of last season's form but hard to warm to at present.

Form: 68-3349

Gerri Colombe^p1²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

11/2

Enormously talented early in his career. Pulled up in Savills Chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good) 25 days ago on return from 14 months ago, tailed off when pulled up after eighth. Switches from chase to hurdles and cheekpieces on for 1st time. Hard to weigh up but in expert hands.

Form: 1221/3-P

Staffordshire Knot^b⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

9/4

Reluctant individual but on his best behaviour of late. Landed the odds in 5-runner minor event hurdle at Clonmel (22f, heavy, 8/13) 51 days ago and has to demand respect in current mood,

Form: 099/311

Lantry Lady^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| C

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Course winner. Fifth of 8 in minor event hurdle at Punchestown (19.2f, good to soft, 33/1) 22 days ago. Up in trip and big career best required to be a factor in this.

Form: 4747/65

Non-Runners

Mozzies Sister⁶⁰

Weight: 10-10| Age: 7

T: D Queally J: Alex Harvey

Forecasts

Staffordshire Knot (9/4), Rocky's Diamond (11/4), Home By The Lee (3/1), Gerri Colombe (11/2), Lantry Lady (12/1), Franciscan Rock (14/1), Mozzies Sister (16/1)

STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT has overcome temperament issues with commanding recent victories, including a 10-length romp at Clonmel seven weeks ago. Though stepping up in class, he's clearly in top form. Rocky's Diamond, last year's winner, and Home By The Lee, a former Grade 1 winner are obvious threats, though it will be fascinating to see what Gerri Colombe can do back hurdling.