William Hill Boyne Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 8.90s

Hiddenvalley Lake²⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| C

15/2

Smart staying hurdler who was successful in this race in 2024 and won the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree last April. Ninth of 11 in Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown in May, never going well from 4 out and had almost certainly left his season behind. Better when fresh and should be in the mix.

Form: 13/2719-

Irancy⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153

8/1

Won twice in Grade 1/2 company as a novice last April but well beaten since, including when sixth of 8 in Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown (28/1) 41 days ago, raced off the pace and well held after 2 out. Bred to stay beyond 2m but remains to be seen how he fares for a significant step up in trip.

Form: 1711/46

Colonel Mustard⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: John Shinnick| T: L Fowler| OR: 148| C

11/1

Won Grade 2 Lismullen hurdle at this course 83 days ago before tailing off eighth of 11 in Grade 1 Long Walk hurdle at Ascot (20/1) 50 days ago in a rare below-par effort. Likeable veteran is the type to bounce back quickly but has a bit to find on bare form.

Form: 545/118-

Maxxum⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| CD

10/1

Won this race last year and added another Grade 2 success at Fairyhouse in spring but was third of 6 in Grade 1 hurdle at Fairyhouse (28/1) 70 days ago, left behind after 3 out and tailed off. Third run of campaign produced one of his best efforts last season so not one to dismiss.

Form: 61P1/43

Better Days Ahead^t²⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| C

10/3

Smart hurdler won Grade 2 chase at this course last February and finished creditable third at Cheltenham Festival. Sixth in Irish National at Fairyhouse (16/1) last April, emerged with credit as clear top weight on just his fifth chase start. Interesting returning to hurdles after 10 months off.

Form: 3/12136-

Staffordshire Knot^b¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| BF| D

11/10

Won once in late November/early December after returning from seven months off. Second of 6 in Grade 2 hurdle at Gowran Park (9/4 favourite) 17 days ago, led and travelled well but wandered before the last and was outbattled. Ought to have won that day and has the ability to go one better here.

Form: 99/3112

Forecasts

Staffordshire Knot (11/10), Better Days Ahead (10/3), Hiddenvalley Lake (15/2), Irancy (8/1), Maxxum (10/1), Colonel Mustard (11/1)

STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT won twice in late November/early December and travelled well when second in Grade 2 Galmoy at Gowran Park 17 days ago, though he wandered before the last and was outbattled. He has the ability to make amends here. Hiddenvalley Lake won the 2024 Boyne Hurdle and is best when fresh, while Maxxum won last year's renewal and has likely been campaigned with this race in mind again.