Last Kingdom had reportedly matured before making a successful handicap debut at Fairyhouse and might easily follow up, for all that he's now 13lb higher and has to deal with different ground. Making a case for him brings Stuntman Steve into the equation, while his stablemate Come On The Lads is a respected handicap debutant. However, this represents a drop in class for BATMAN GIRAC who didn't run at all badly in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.[Alistair Jones]
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Had made eyecatching headway before falling at the DRF and bounced back from his nothing run in the Imperial Cup with a respectable effort in the Scottish Champion Hurdle; that was a better race than this and, if coping with the ground (all his form is with some give underfoot), he should be a major player.
Multiple winner under both codes down the years, his last success a Listed race at Chester in September 2023; an 11yo now, though, and absent since finishing well held in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle in November.
Dual Flat winner and won back-to-back hurdles last summer, including a Limerick handicap off 7lb lower; last two runs weren't his best and would prefer slower ground ideally.
4yo who won a bumper in France; quiet in his maidens but sprung to life with a cosy victory on handicap debut at Fairyhouse (2m, soft to heavy), good value for his narrow defeat of Stuntman Steve; has the profile of a likely improver but has gone up 13lb and drier ground asks questions of him; clearly a contender nonetheless.
Two of her three hurdle wins have come in handicaps; 7lb higher than for the latest (September) but she likes this ground and was running well when falling at Bellewstown; should give her running and be involved.
Flat ability is much respected and now makes handicap debut over hurdles after three runs in maidens (beaten 18l+); bit to prove in the hood (worn for all hurdles races yet never on the Flat) but would be interesting if there's support behind him.
After three months off he ran in successive days at Fairyhouse last month, holding his own in competitive handicaps (second to Last Kingdom; then out of the weights on second occasion); runs off the same mark as last time and the quicker ground shouldn't bother him.
Has won four of his last six races, a handicap and three claimers; had a good chance at the weights in winning the latest at Tramore when returning from a long absence; has plenty more on his plate back in a handicap.
0-5 in bumpers and 0-7 over hurdles; this is a belated handicap debut and he's not been at his best in last two maidens; has also been absent for a while.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
