BetVictor Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 8.50s

Place De La Nation³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| C

13/8

Useful hurdler. Didn't need to be at best when winning 4-runner minor event hurdle (1/16) at this course (16f, good to soft) 33 days ago, easily. Should have a big part to play.

Form: 325/11

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Atomic Queen³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 114| D

66/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 2 wins from 5 runs this season. Latest win in hurdle at Downpatrick in August. 50/1, fifteenth of 18 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, good) 39 days ago. Looks vulnerable at this level.

Form: 0/12010

Carry On Heidi⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: J P Patrick Baragry| OR: 114

25/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Successful at Clonmel in October. Very good 5¼ lengths third of 6 to Echoing Silence in listed hurdle (66/1) at Punchestown (19f, heavy) 44 days ago. Sizeable step forward needed if she's to trouble Oldschool Outlaw and Place De La Nation.

Form: 7/31443

Cola Blaze⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Paddy Cleary| T: N Slevin

300/1

250/1, tailed-off last of 7 to Glen Kiln in Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas (15.9f, heavy) 9 days ago. Hard to fancy.

Form: 1504/77

Early Bird⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Philip Donovan| T: Jonathan Sweeney

66/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 66/1, 17¼ lengths seventh of 19 to Oldschool Outlaw in novice hurdle at Naas (16f, heavy) on hurdles bow 50 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Likely to improve but clearly has plenty on her plate up against that unexposed rival once more.

Form: 64/17

Oldschool Outlaw⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott

1/2

Promising type. Career best when winning 19-runner novice hurdle at Naas (16f, heavy, 3/1) on hurdles bow 50 days ago, proving too strong for last season's top bumper performer, Bambino Fever, who has since won a maiden hurdle (as has the third home that day, Radiator Springs). Exciting prospect.

Form: 2327/11

Forecasts

Oldschool Outlaw (1/2), Place De La Nation (13/8), Carry On Heidi (25/1), Early Bird (66/1), Atomic Queen (66/1), Cola Blaze (300/1)

It's no surprise that JP McManus swooped to purchase OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW following her winning debut at Naas where she became the first horse to inflict defeat on last season's champion bumper Bambino Fever. The sky is the limit for this 6-y-o mare and she will prove very hard to beat, for all that the Willie Mullins yard has a terrific record in this race, saddling nine of the last 13 winners, and fields a strong candidate in Place de La Nation. Carry On Heidi can claim minor prize money.