ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Novice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 5m 5.80s

Needs Must²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 118

7/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. 15/8, career best when winning 15-runner novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) 20 days ago, driven out. Could well have more to offer given stable he represents but assessor looks to have taken no chances with his opening mark.

Form: 77/71

Lumiere Du Large^h,t⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 115| BF

7/1

Fair Flat winner. Fourth of 19 in novice hurdle at Cork (16.9f, soft, 10/11) 59 days ago. Switch to handicaps rates a definite plus with that run under her belt (first start for 7 months) and no surprise to see her fare better for top outfit.

Form: 208/4

Mojoe²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Simon Torrens| T: P T Foley| OR: 113| CD

17/2

Showed modest form in maiden hurdles but sizeable step forward when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle at this course (19.3f, heavy, 14/1) 23 days ago, coming from further back than the trio that chased him home. Likely there's even more to come on that evidence.

Form: 48/8471

Take Stock²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 109

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden who got back on track when good third of 11 in handicap hurdle (9/2) at Naas (18.9f, soft) 26 days ago. Open to further progress in handicaps and he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 5/5083

Jacko Star^h1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 108

9/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Thirteenth of 18 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, good, 9/1) 40 days ago. Bounce back called for with a hood on 1st time.

Form: 4/440

Lough Nigara^p,h²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Ricky Doyle| T: E Griffin| OR: 101| C

3/1

5/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, career best when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle at this course (22f, heavy) 23 days ago, staying on well. Has more miles on the clock than most but consistency hard to knock for this yard and not ruled out.

Form: 733231

James The Brave³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁷⁾| T: Padraig Butler| OR: 91

6/4

Fair winner at 23f in chases. 7/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Limerick (22.6f, heavy) 37 days ago, pulled up 3 out having been let down by his jumping. Has a much lower mark to work from back over hurdles if he can translate his recent progress to this discipline.

Form: 45/012P

Forecasts

James The Brave (6/4), Lough Nigara (3/1), Lumiere Du Large (7/1), Needs Must (7/1), Mojoe (17/2), Jacko Star (9/1), Take Stock (16/1)

MOJOE confirmed previous promise and was deserving of extra credit when making a winning handicap debut here (19.3f) 23 days ago, coming from further back than the trio that he beat. He appeals as the type to progress further now he's up and running and earns the vote to follow up. Take Stock is another who likely has more to offer and is feared. Fairyhouse scorer Needs Must and Lumiere du Large complete the shortlist.