Despite having run only twice since completing a Grade 1 hat-trick here last year, TEAHUPOO (nap) can be fancied to gain a repeat success, possibly at the main expense of the progressive Rocky's Diamond. Aintree winner Hiddenvalley Lake can also feature by confirming form with Jetara. After a couple of misadventures, the talented Home By The Lee could not be backed with confidence. [Alan Sweetman]
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Now at the veteran stage and possibly not quite the force he was when a fine second to Teahupoo in this race last season; ran respectably in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle in January and finished 5l second to Hewick at Thurles; unseated two out when bidding to repeat last year's win in a Grade 2 chase at Cork.
Has a poor strike-rate over hurdles (1-20) but placed on 14 occasions, and has often held his own in demanding company; fifth in the Coral Cup and fourth in a Grade 2 event over 2m4f at Fairyhouse ten days ago; goes beyond 2m5f for the first time now.
Made it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (3m, good/good to soft) at Ascot in December; soundly beaten in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January after making a bad mistake five out; fell at the sixth when 40-1 chance for the Stayers'; first time cheekpieces added to the usual tongue-tie.
Fifth in last year's Coral Cup here; won a C&D handicap in November before following up in a conditions hurdle at Clonmel; respectable third to Rocky's Diamond in Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran; not by any means disgraced as 80-1 chance when sixth in the Stayers, though well held by Teahupoo and Rocky's Diamond.
Grade 2 winner at Navan, and Grade 1-placed at Aintree in the first half of 2024; second to Crambo in the Long Walk at Ascot in December; struggled badly in Galmoy won by Rocky's Diamond; restored to form when beating Strong Leader in Aintree Grade 1 in which Home By The Lee flopped.
Third behind Teahupoo in this race last year, and previously took same place in the Stayer's at Cheltenham; beat Bob Olinger in Graded races last November/December, prior to having no luck (hampered by faller and unseated rider mid-race) in the Stayers' Hurdle; flopped in Aintree race won by Hiddenvalley Lake, so prospects should be treated with caution.
2-15 over hurdles, capable of smart form, such as when third behind Home By The Lee in a 3m Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December 2022; gained first win for almost three years at Limerick three starts back, up against it in this company.
Highly progressive in three starts since 3m handicap win at Gowran last autumn; 66-1 third behind Home By The Lee and Bob Olinger in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m7f, yielding) in December and won the Grade 2 Galmoy at Gowran Park (3m, soft to heavy) in January; maintained upward curve with Stayers' Hurdle fourth; may get closer to Teahupoo now.
Leading stayer whose success in the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle (soft) was the middle leg of a Grade 1 hat-trick completed with an emphatic defeat of Asterion Forlonge in this race; no match for Lossiemouth over 2m4f in the Hattons's Grace on return; beaten by Bob Olinger at Cheltenham but showed enough to suggest he can repeat last year's victory.
Veteran who recorded his biggest success in a 2m Grade 3 contest at Tipperary last July before finishing fourth in the Galway Hurdle; his last four races have been in 2m Grade 1 events, profiting from mishaps to take third place in the Champion Hurdle on latest; won over 3m at Cork in July 2023 but would be a shock winner here.
Won 3m Doncaster Grade 2 mares' win in January and ran respectably in the 2m4f Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham; confirmed her stamina with a pleasing display to take third behind Hiddenvalley Lake at Aintree; deserves another shot at the geldings.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
