Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle

Off time: 17:43 | Winning time: 5m 45.90s

Brother Walfrid^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 118

11/2

Shaped well when second in a big-field maiden at Fairyhouse in April and didn't need to improve to go one place better at Punchestown. Tongue tied and was never going at Galway 3 weeks ago. Now goes up in distance.

Form: P22-415

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Don Jefe¹³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Gerard O'Leary| OR: 112

40/1

Progressive form in maiden hurdles, looking suited by step up to 2½m when comprehensively winning a maiden at Fairyhouse in February. Progress came to an abrupt halt when pulled up on April's handicap debut.

Form: 051P-

Local News⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Josh Williamson⁽³⁾| T: Richard Hennessy

7/1

Defied odds of 100-1 when winning 19f mares maiden at Cork in May by head from Divaboriva, coming from further back than ideal in a race run at a modest gallop. Maintained unbeaten record at Kilbeggan upped to 3m later that month and her limit hasn't been reached.

Form: 11

Diamond Du Berlais^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 131

4/9

Useful ex-French hurdler. Made a winning start for current yard at Ludlow in February before career-best sixth in Grade 2 Dawn Run at Cheltenham. Unable to match that twice since but she's the clear pick at the weights upped in distance.

Form: 38164-3

Pets Georgina¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Slevin| T: J P Ryan| OR: 119| CD

6/1

Free-going sort but responded well to win a bumper at Sligo in June and she followed up under a positive ride switched to hurdling over C&D a month later. Disappointing effort at Kilbeggan since needs casting aside.

Form: 7-U2114

Result Amended

Don Jefe - Original Position 5th. Amended Position 4th.

Local News - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 5th.

Pets Georgina - Original Position 4th. Amended Position 3rd.

Non-Runners

Loch Cuan⁵⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: James Smith

Forecasts

Diamond Du Berlais (4/9), Loch Cuan (9/2), Brother Walfrid (11/2), Pets Georgina (6/1), Local News (7/1), Don Jefe (40/1)

DIAMOND DU BERLAIS' stamina for this far isn't set in stone but she's very much the one to beat on these advantageous terms so it's worth risking that she'll see it out. Local News is going the right way and is feared most.