Declan And Maria Coombes Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 36.80s

Sopelana^p,t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁵⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 120| D

11/4

Showed improved form to record third career success in handicap hurdle at Punchestown prior to failing to stay longer trip in listed company at Navan earlier this month. Player back down in trip/class.

Form: 415-817

Mode Avion^t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Josh Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 117

6/5

Won sole bumper start in France and back on track over hurdles when third of 12 in juvenile at Thurles (15.8f, heavy), likely to have finished closer had his jumping not fallen apart late on. Could take another step forward now sent handicapping by leading stable.

Form: 1-343

Searcog⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Eoghan Finegan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Magee| OR: 107

9/2

Modest Flat winner has proved consistent over hurdles, faring best of those ridden close up when sixth in 19-runnner Leopardstown maiden in December. May do better for switch to handicaps.

Form: 446

Whats New^p1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Cian Quirke| T: A Slattery| OR: 107

9/1

One to treat with a degree of caution (ran out last year) but has finished runner-up in pair of juvenile hurdles and is entitled to come on for his most recent run at Gowran. Makes appeal on form and capable of making a winning handicap debut if putting it all together in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: F2R255

Thilos¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie O'Dwyer⁽⁵⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 94

50/1

Fair (inconsistent) maiden on Flat and no impact in trio of hurdle starts for new yard. Only considered if supported on handicap debut.

Form: 69P

Ahellofaman²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Gavin Brouder| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 93

8/1

No improvement on handicap debut when 17½ lengths fourth of 7 to Sopelana in juvenile hurdle at Punchestown (16f, heavy, 40/1) 26 days ago. Marked improvement needed to reverse that form.

Form: 8-9694

Non-Runners

Real Petite⁵²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: T Mullins J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

Forecasts

Mode Avion (6/5), Sopelana (11/4), Searcog (9/2), Ahellofaman (8/1), Whats New (9/1), Thilos (50/1), Real Petite (50/1)

WHATS NEW appeals most on form and is taken to make a winning handicap debut, for all he isn't one for maximum faith. Sopelana has solid claims back down in trip/grade, while Mode Avion and Searcog should both be better for the switch to handicaps.