Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 7f 110y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

Lightly raced gelding who won 11-runner 3m maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (10/3) 61 days ago, more straightforward in the finish and digging deep to lead again in the run-in. Already looks a thorough stayer and open to further improvement in first-time cheekpieces for top yard.

Form: 1-41

Lord Rouge^h1³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott

Looked a good prospect when winning on hurdling debut at Cork but that form hasn't worked out (despite impressive timefigure). Eighth of 10 in Grade 1 at Naas (33/1) 34 days ago. Sights lowered and could be interesting upped markedly in trip in first-time hood (yard also saddle Bally Free).

Form: 2-18

Rebel Budz⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P O'Flynn| OR: 120| D

Showed much improvement when opening his account in a maiden hurdle at Cork 40 days ago, the 24f trip plainly suiting as he drew clear before the last. Steps up to Grade 3 company now but that form is working out and he's likely to progress further.

Form: 321-421

Timesareachanging²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Philip Donovan| T: A Slattery| D

Stepped up markedly when making a winning hurdling debut, first of 12 in maiden hurdle at Navan 26 days ago, travelled well, led from the third and asserted in the final 100 yards (third has franked form). Open to further improvement despite step up to Grade 3 company.

Form: F71/31

Walks The Talk^h¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 119| D

Won her first 2 starts over hurdles last autumn. Second of 5 in novice hurdle at Musselburgh (10/3) 12 days ago, ran at least as well as previously but failed to test the unexposed winner after setting the pace. Faces a step up in class here but should give another good account.

Form: 241152

Changeyourstars^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Phillip Enright| T: James King| OR: 118| D

Second at Fairyhouse has worked out well and she improved further to win maiden hurdle at Limerick (first of 18 at 10/1) 47 days ago, clearly benefiting from the hood fitted previously (retained). Plenty of stamina in her pedigree and could progress again upped to 3m.

Form: 310-921

Forecasts

Bally Free (9/4), Timesareachanging (11/4), Rebel Budz (9/2), Lord Rouge (9/2), Walks The Talk (7/1), Changeyourstars (10/1)

A case can be made for each of the sextet, perhaps the strongest for BALLY FREE who looks a stayer on the up and he may enhance his trainer's fine recent record in this race. Stablemate Lord Rouge could be worth another chance given the impression he created on hurdle debut, while Rebel Budz should be in the mix following his impressive success in a Cork maiden last time.