Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 6f 53y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

Useful bumper scorer who has taken really well to hurdling, winning 21.5f Galway maiden and 2½m Navan Grade 2 (heavy) before Christmas. Looks capable of even better and likely hard to beat again.

Form: 3/2-1511

Frankie John²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 129| C

Course maiden winner over Christmas but limitations seemingly exposed when only 23½ lengths fifth of 10 to I'll Sort That in 2½m Naas Grade 1 since.

Form: 122315

Jalon D'oudairies³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| BF| C

One of the leading bumper performer of the 2023/24 season. Runner-up both starts over hurdles since returning from an absence, latterly beaten ½ length by Frankie John over 20.5f here last month. Likely has a bigger performance in him but yard has stronger contenders elsewhere.

Form: 1113/22

Kazansky³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

Has won both completed starts over hurdles, latterly a Grade 2 novice at Limerick (23f, heavy) just after Christmas. Likely even more to come and the mount of Jack Kennedy from the Elliott quartet.

Form: 521-B11

Love Me Tender³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

Grade 3 winner at Tipperary in October. Lost his unbeaten record but still performed with credit when third in 2m course Grade 3 at the Christmas meeting. Steps up significantly in trip. Respected.

Form: 1113

Riskaway³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| BF

Successful start over hurdles at Thurles in November. Bettered that form when second of 4 at Limerick (2½m, heavy) 5 weeks ago. Can improve again.

Form: 224-212

Santo Sospir²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 134

Won a big-field maiden hurdle over 19.5f at Punchestown in November and followed up in 17f conditions event at Clonmel (heavy) 23 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Should continue to progress.

Form: 1-411

Tackletommywoowoo⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: D Queally| OR: 135

Hasn't looked back since getting off the mark in 3m Wexford handicap last summer, adding 2 novice events around 3m at Cork in the autumn, latterly a listed event. This a whole lot tougher, though.

Form: 2F1611

Yeshil³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 125

Lightly-raced sort who was notably strong in the betting before landing a 21f Punchestown maiden on return in November. 3¾ lengths third of 5 to reopposing Kazansky in Grade 2 novice at Limerick (23f, heavy) since. May do better again.

Form: 2/8-13

Forecasts

Doctor Steinberg (1/1), Kazansky (9/2), Santo Sospir (6/1), Love Me Tender (7/1), Tackletommywoowoo (10/1), Jalon D'oudairies (16/1), Riskaway (25/1), Yeshil (33/1), Frankie John (33/1)

DOCTOR STEINBERG can stretch his unbeaten hurdle record to 3 and provide Willie Mullins with a fifth win in the last 6 runnings of this Grade 1. December's Limerick Grade 2 scorer Kazansky is the mount of Jack Kennedy from the four-strong Gordon Elliott team and may provide the main threat ahead of the selection's stablemate Love Me Tender.