Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 13.20s

Catchabird^h⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Kelly| T: Ms S J Connell| OR: 109| D

28/1

Landed 2m Wexford maiden before following up in 12-runner handicap at Navan (2m, soft) 40 days ago. This is a tough ask, though.

Form: 233411

Alliteration^p,t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 117| D

10/1

Improving sort who was fitted with cheekpieces and a tongue strap when landing 2m Fairyhouse maiden recently. Thriving but this demands a clear personal best.

Form: 13321

Diamond Du Berlais^t⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132

7/4

Useful ex-French hurdler. Made a winning start for current yard at Ludlow in February and backed it up with a very good sixth of 22 to White Noise in Dawn Run at Cheltenham (17f, good) 49 days ago. The clear form pick.

Form: 4-P3816

Future Prospect^h²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129| D

10/11

Useful bumper winner who made a winning start over hurdles in 2m Naas maiden in January. Good fourth of 11 in Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last time so she's a likely player.

Form: 536-1P4

Adrienne²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T M Walsh| OR: 122| D

15/2

Scored at Fairyhouse in November and back on track with fourth of 9 in Percy Maynard Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) 24 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 132034

Non-Runners

Blue Velvet²⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Jack Kennedy

Forecasts

Future Prospect (10/11), Diamond Du Berlais (7/4), Adrienne (15/2), Alliteration (10/1), Blue Velvet (10/1), Catchabird (28/1)

DIAMOND DU BERLAIS holds the clear edge on form so is fancied to quickly resume winning ways after her very good sixth in the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival. Future Prospect and Adrienne appeal as the pick of the rest.