JP McManus has several interesting runners in this, perhaps none more so than SHOWURAPPRECIATION who showed he retained his old ability when sixth in a beginners' chase last month and he looked like a promising prospect a couple of seasons ago. He could be better than a mark off 112 back over timber on handicap debut. Portnacoo and Ballysax Hank are two more that could be well treated and Henry de Bromhead's first-string, Nouvotic, will be a major player if fit after an absence. [Phill Anderson]
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All four wins with good in the going description and gained his fourth success at Newbury earlier in the campaign; however, he was tailed off at Wetherby on his penultimate start and was well held in the Pertemps since; probably vulnerable to better treated rivals in a race like this.
Gained a fourth win with a 7l Carlisle success when last seen in February and that form has been boosted by the runner-up and fourth winning since; only 3lb higher here and conditions in his favour again.
Respectable efforts in beginners' chases on last two starts; 6lb above last winning mark but ran well from this mark at the Galway Festival when last seen over timber; unexposed at this trip and warrants respect; off 229 days.
Didn't need to improve to land a novice hurdle from the front at Kelso earlier this month; generally consistent and unexposed stepping back up in distance; workable handicap mark and one to consider.
Two good ground wins last summer; beaten a long way out on last month's return and needs a clear career best to defy this mark in a competitive contest.
Followed up a Wexford bumper win in October with a maiden hurdle success at Carlisle a few weeks later; well held in two novice hurdles since with 3m possibly too far latest; interesting on handicap debut with first-time tongue-tie.
Losing run since a course success over further in 2023; below his best in a beginners' when last seen and may ideally need further than this; off 169 days.
Was still involved when falling in this race last year on the back of a lengthy absence; 0-9 but he's consistent sort and wasn't beaten far in a maiden hurdle at Navan before a 14l defeat when third of 16 at Fairyhouse earlier this month; not much went right for him the last day and one to consider back in handicap company.
Novice hurdle winner at Exeter before Christmas and fairly consistent in three runs since; would have finished closer without a late mistake in a warm race at Wetherby last month and warrants respect having just his sixth hurdle start.
Looked progressive last year culminating in a handicap hurdle success at Cheltenham's November meeting; questions to answer now though having shown very little twice since; step back up in trip should help at least.
Career best when landing a beginners' at Downpatrick last month; too keen at Fairyhouse last week but looks well treated from his reduced hurdle mark back in handicap company and has to be high on the shortlist.
Point winner who got off the mark under rules with a maiden hurdle success at Wexford last summer; has continued to progress in handicaps, winning over C&D in October and bounced back from a lesser run back at this venue to land a 3m Leopardstown handicap hurdle last month; beaten favourite in a Wexford novice hurdle since but she's the type to bounce straight back.
Showed ability in maiden hurdles last season and took his form to a new level when landing a Wexford maiden hurdle last summer; that form worked out okay and it's interesting that he's the pick of Blackmore; off 291 days.
Missed most of last season but signs he's on his way back in handicap hurdles either side of Christmas; however, his very best form is over further than this; off 102 days.
Bolted up on yard debut on the back of an absence in January and bounced back from a lesser run when beaten roughly 2l at Fairyhouse earlier this month; both wins on heavy but versatile with regards to conditions and drop back in trip fine too.
Took a step forward when switched to handicaps earlier this season, hitting the crossbar at Naas and Navan before landing a maiden hurdle at Tramore by a wide margin 17 days ago; that wasn't a strong race but she's unexposed and clearly in form.
Best effort yet when winning a Down Royal novice handicap hurdle earlier this month; will need further progress to defy a 4lb higher mark in a deeper race but hasn't been with this trainer long and there could easily be more to come.
Appreciated getting back on a sound surface when recording a career best at Naas earlier this month; 7lb higher and his Naas form hasn't been done any favours so may need another career best.
Had been steadily improving, getting off the mark in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas but didn't jump well on heavy ground at Naas in January; return to a quicker surface may help and one to consider; off 115 days.
Off the mark with maiden hurdle win at Ballinrobe two years ago; showed he retained ability when sixth in a beginners' last month, his only start since; interesting runner back over timber from workable mark.
Hit the crossbar in two maiden hurdles before getting off the mark at Fairyhouse in December; beaten 10l in the Fred Winter since and her mark may be stiff enough for now.
Back to form when runner-up (beaten 5l) at the Dublin Racing Festival but shown very little in two runs since; new trip now but she has a bit to prove.
Best run yet when fourth in a heavy ground maiden hurdle here last time (reportedly coughed post race); his better runs have come on softer ground than this.
