BAR 1 Betting Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 6.90s

Sageborough²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R Deegan| T: P Nolan| OR: 126| D

33/1

Made a winning debut in 14-runner maiden hurdle at Wexford in October but has looked out of place in graded company since, last when falling 2 out in the Supreme on latest start.

Form: 17F

Soir De Garde³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: John Shinnick| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130

15/2

Half-brother to State Man who posted a couple of solid efforts in bumpers prior to winning readily on hurdle debut at Tramore in April. Returning from 11 months off when no match for classier stablemate at Leopardstown last time, and it's likely to be a similar story here.

Form: 231-2

Absurde²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

5/6

Smart Flat performer proved better than ever when winning Sussex Champion Hurdle in April (under this jockey) and though unable to do himself justice when bidding for a second County Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, this looks a good opportunity with sights lowered.

Form: P41/31-0

Busselton¹¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Rian Lane⁽⁷⁾| T: E Bolger| OR: 134| C| D

50/1

Very useful chaser who bagged the La Touche Cup in May but again ran poorly at Cheltenham in December. Has since left Joseph Patrick O'Brien and this is likely to be a pipe-opener for new yard.

Form: P1-3259

Ndaawi^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Josh Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

6/4

Career-best performance when awarded Galway Hurdle in July but tough ask under a big weight when fourteenth in 23-runner County Hurdle last time. Should go close in calmer waters with good-value claimer retained.

Form: 6/22-130

No Looking Back^b,t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 119| D

20/1

Long time since he's shown anything like his best form, finishing a well-beaten fourth (behind Soir De Garde) at Leopardstown last time.

Form: 000-P04

Therellbguddaysyet³⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Gary Noonan| T: P O'Flynn| OR: 108

150/1

Fairly useful hurdler for Michael John O'Connor but has little chance at the weights on stable debut/reappearance.

Form: 430376-

Forecasts

Absurde (5/6), Ndaawi (6/4), Soir De Garde (15/2), No Looking Back (20/1), Sageborough (33/1), Busselton (50/1), Therellbguddaysyet (150/1)

ABSURDE did plenty wrong when behind Ndaawi in the County Hurdle last time and can reverse the form with Harry Cobden (1-1) back aboard in what looks a match on these terms.