A very competitive renewal. Sea Music had a couple of these behind when winning at Punchestown but he may be vulnerable off 9lb higher. The veteran HAPPY JACKY didn't quite get home over 3m2f when behind Cadatharla in the Killarney National but he may be able to reverse that form over this shorter trip on these terms. Outside The Door, Noble Birth and Western Fold are all worth considering and Drumgill could go well at a price if the rain misses. [Dave Stephens]
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2-5 over fences; won a valuable novice handicap chase at Punchestown (2m4f, yielding) last month; hiked up 9lb for that and steps up in trip (won here over 2m7f over hurdles); won't mind if the forecast rain arrives but might be vulnerable off this revised mark.
Off the mark over fences at the sixth attempt in a Tipperary beginners' earlier this month (23.5f, gd-yld); form of previous 2.25l second behind Lombron at Clonmel is strong; not discounted back in a handicap for last year's winning yard.
Two-time hurdles winner is 0-6 over fences; unseated when 8-1 at Cheltenham in March; didn't get home in the Irish National in April; cheekpieces now tried; others make more appeal.
The 2022 Irish Grand National hero hasn't come close to reproducing that since; only raced six times since that triumph (over fences and over hurdles) and has failed to trouble the judge; pulled up the last twice; becoming well-handicapped but hard to fancy on recent exploits.
Course winner over hurdles; two-time chase winner in 2023, including the Blazers at Galway (22.5f, good) off 130; ran a decent race in this last year, beaten 11.25l into fourth off 138; 5lb lower now but lacks a run and was out of form when last seen.
Sole chase win came in a mares' beginners' over C&D (good) last September; jumping not fluent when beaten 10l off 133 in a Grade 3 novice mares' handicap chase at Cheltenham latest; could do better back at this venue for top yard; can't discount.
Made all to gain first chase win in a Fairyhouse novice (2m6f, soft) in January; well-beaten sole start since in the Irish Grand National; form figures of 321 at this venue over hurdles; could go well back at a track he likes.
1-10 over fences; beat last year's winner of this race Duffle Coat when landing sole chase win at Downpatrick in April 2024; fine effort when second in the Porterstown (29.5f, yielding) off 129 in December; came up short in hot handicaps the last twice; needs more off current mark.
Won the Killarney National (3m2f, yielding) by a nose off 122 on latest, his first win over fences (Happy Jacky 13l back in third); raised 8lb for that and he may not be as effective going right-handed over fences; not totally discounted but others appeal more.
11yo was sent off the joint favourite for the Killarney National (3m2f) and wasn't disgraced in third behind Cadatharla, not quite getting home; that was a sound effort in his first handicap chase and he's rated 13lb higher over hurdles; won easily over timber on his only previous run at this track; claims.
C&D beginners' chase winner last August on soft for Michael Bowe; won a Limerick handicap chase (19.5f, yld-sft) on first start for this yard off 121; fell when still in contention off revised mark on latest at Tipperary; best form on soft ground so probably needs rain.
3-19 in chases; last win in this sphere came off 117 at Wexford last August; sound run in defeat when a 15l second of 23 in valuable 31.5f Punchestown handicap latest; up 3lb for that but this shorter trip will suit; place claims at least in first time blinkers once the rain misses.
3-8 over fences; won last chase start in the Listed Tim Duggan handicap at Limerick (19.5f, soft) by 6l off 119 when 1lb wrong and 9lb higher now; was beaten when falling over hurdles at Fairyhouse when last seen in February; best form is on soft ground; needs rain.
Two-time course winner over hurdles; 2-5 over fences; won off 125 at Limerick in April (2m2f, good); sixth of 18 when 37l behind Sea Music at Punchestown latest (2m4f, yielding); down 2lb and the return to this venue offers hope of an improved performance; could outrun likely odds if rain misses.
1-13 over fences; won back to back races at Galway last August-September including a chase (22.5f, gd-yld) off 113; well-beaten off this mark on return from six months off when behind a couple of these at Punchestown; others make more appeal.
Veteran is 3-19 over fences; won off 121 at Down Royal (3m, gd-yld) in January; pulled up next two starts then beaten 16.5l off this mark on latest at Punchestown; likes going right-handed but others hold more pressing claims.
First reserve; course bumper winner is 2-21 over fences but hasn't won since January 2023; ran well when an 8.5l fourth of 14 in the Leinster National at Naas (3m1f, soft); handles good ground but refused to line up at Punchestown in April; risky.
Second reserve; 2-5 over fences; won by a short head at Fairyhouse last month (2m5f, soft) off 116; up 6lb but she's unexposed and there could be more to come; not discounted if getting a run.
Third reserve; 2-16 over fences; last won off 121 in the Ulster National (3m5f, good) in April 2024; came up short in repeat bid off 124 in March; beaten 25l at Cheltenham latest; runs off last winning mark here and could go well if gets a run for last year's winning yard.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
