Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 59.70s

Grey Jude⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel King| T: Connor King| OR: 122

2/1

Placed in bumpers and promising start over hurdles at Cork in November, finishing second on first attempt and going one better 3 weeks later (both 2m). More to come, particularly at this trip.

Form: 6/3321

Mullaghgloss⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Cian Quirke| T: A Slattery| OR: 117

7/2

Fairly useful hurdler. 18/1, creditable 5¾ lengths fourth of 12 to Its Bilbo in listed handicap at Limerick (16f, heavy) 40 days ago, needing stronger gallop.

Form: 81218-4

Raise You Up⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Gilligan| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 116

11/8

Didn't need to improve on the level of his Naas hurdle debut second to go one place better at the Limerick Christmas meeting. This demands more.

Form: 2/421

Diamond Secret²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Brian Hayes| T: P Fenton

50/1

66/1, sixth of 11 in novice hurdle (66/1) at Thurles (20f, good to soft) on NH debut 20 days ago. Will need to leave that form well behind to get heavily involved here.

Form: 6

Dunleer Crystal⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

13/2

Promising sort. 22/1, much improved when second of 10 in maiden hurdle at Down Royal (17f, soft) on Boxing Day. This slightly longer trip should see him in an even better light. Leading claims.

Form: 702

Forecasts

Raise You Up (11/8), Grey Jude (2/1), Mullaghgloss (7/2), Dunleer Crystal (13/2), Diamond Secret (50/1)

DUNLEER CRYSTAL left his first 2 efforts under Rules well behind when runner-up at Down Royal over Christmas and is selected to make the most of the weight he receives from the previous hurdle winners in this line-up, notably Grey Jude.