Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 6m 43.60s

Bally Free^p1⁶³

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

5/6

Lightly raced gelding who won 11-runner 3m maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (10/3) 63 days ago, more straightforward in the finish and digging deep to lead again on 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^h1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott

9/2

Point winner who looked a good prospect when winning on 17f Cork hurdle debut. Only eighth of 10 in 2½m Grade 1 at Naas (33/1) 36 days ago but retains potential with his sights lowered slightly. Hooded now stepping up in trip again. Jack Kennedy on Bally Free.

Form: 2/18

Timesareachanging²⁸

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

5/1

Point winner in January 2024. Off nearly 2 years before finishing third in a Limerick bumper over Christmas but a subsequent Navan maiden hurdle success suggests he can make up for lost time.

Form: F71/31

Walks The Talk^h¹⁴

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

11/2

Fairly useful hurdler. Good second of 5 in novice hurdle (10/3) at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) 14 days ago, although no match for winner.

Form: 241152-

Changeyourstars^h,t⁴⁹

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

10/1

Second in Fairyhouse mares' maiden before going one better in similar company at Limerick (2½m, heavy) over Christmas, driven out. More will be needed to follow up here.

Form: 310/921

Forecasts

Bally Free (5/6), Lord Rouge (9/2), Timesareachanging (5/1), Walks The Talk (11/2), Changeyourstars (10/1)

Gordon Elliott may dominate this Grade 3, with Jack Kennedy's mount BALLY FREE preferred to Lord Rouge, who should find this a bit easier than the Grade 1 Ballymore.