Cases can be made for a few of these. The last time out winners Straight Home and Ad Caelum should be in the mix again and Dartan, runner up behind the latter horse, should also be in the shake up. However, NATURAL LOOK shaped very nicely on her return from a break last time and she gets the nod stepped back up in trip. If the ground turns soft Billy Lee Swagger would be a danger to all. [Dave Stephens]
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Dual-purpose course winner (21.5f, good) is 3-11 over hurdles; beaten a head by Ad Caelum over 3m at Kilbeggan (good) latest and up 3lb for that; 9lb above last winning mark but can be in the shake up with a repeat of that last effort; blinkers back on.
Dual-purpose course winner; 9.25l behind Ad Caelum and Dartan at Kilbeggan latest, weakening after being hampered at the last; is 8lb above his last win but his yard is in form and he could go well dropped slightly back in trip.
Three-time hurdles winner but hasn't won since 2022; off since heavy defeat in a handicap hurdle at Bangor last September; 4lb lower now but hard to fancy on return from a break.
4-21 over hurdles; last won off 1lb lower at Cartmel (2m1f, good) in June 2024; beaten 19.5l off this mark on latest when finishing in midfield at Punchestown; ran poorly sole previous visit to this venue and stamina to prove; others preferred.
Two-time hurdles winner; been running over fences lately; creditable effort in the Killarney National latest off 133; rated 6lb lower over hurdles and is just 1lb higher than when going close in a Listed handicap hurdle at Punchestown in May 2024; not discounted.
Dual-purpose; 2-8 over hurdles; last sighted running well in a 1m4f rated race at Dundalk in January; no impact on handicap hurdle debut at Leopardstown in December and just 1lb lower now; may need this after a break and rain would be a negative.
9yo has been absent since winning a handicap chase in fine style at Punchestown (21.5f, soft) in November off 127 and now rated 134 in that sphere; 11lb lower over hurdles and has run well here before but may need this run after a six month absence.
Has won two of her last three starts, off 102 last October at Clonmel (16.5f, good) and over C&D in a mares' handicap last month; hiked up 9lb for that and this harder but can't be discounted for top yard.
Off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles in a 2m4f maiden at Gowran (good) in October; solid second when last seen in a 2m4f Fairyhouse novice in November; off since but has gone well fresh before; interesting handicap debutant.
1-6 over hurdles, the win coming in a Punchestown maiden (2m4f, good) last November when 40-1; ran a respectable race in a valuable auction hurdle series final (19.5f, yielding) at that venue last month; unproven over this far and is probably best watched on handicap debut.
Three-time winner over timber; went close off 118 at Leopardstown (23.5f, yielding) in December; may have needed the run when behind a few of these at Kilbeggan latest; dropped 2lb for that and not discounted.
3-21 over hurdles, all three wins coming for Declan Queally; has run well in defeat for this yard, including a 3l third of 11 in a mares' handicap over 2m6f here off 119 and she's 2lb lower now; sharper for latest fourth at Cork (2m3f, soft) and not without a chance back up in trip with O'Keefe up.
Gained third win over timber when beating Dartan by a head at Kilbeggan; up 5lb for that but ran a respectable race over 21.5f (good) here in April and she could go well again off her revised mark.
Ended a three year barren spell with a confidence boosting 6l win in a Bangor handicap chase off 118 last month; has won three over hurdles but remains 3lb above his last success; place chance.
Dual-purpose; 3-25 over timber; won off 102 at Punchestown in January (20.5f, soft); came up short off 10lb higher in better race there in April; has a bit to prove off this mark and is 2lb wrong.
1-11 over hurdles but ran a blinder when a 3l fourth in a valuable handicap at Punchestown (19.5f, yielding) last month; is 3lb wrong here but he should be suited by this step up in trip and if the forecast rain arrives he could run a big race.
First reserve; 1-10 over hurdles; finished 4l behind Straight Home here over 21.5f (good) latest, her second good run in a row; has to run from 3lb out of the handicap but she's in form and could go well if getting a run.
Second reserve; point-to-point winner is 0-6 over hurdles; has run well in defeat but is 4lb wrong here and was well beaten stepped up to 3m latest; others preferred.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
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