Both chase wins last season were gained over C&D, including this race when beating Salmanino; never sighted before pulled up on recent seasonal return at Fairyhouse but much more expected here down in grade.
Dual hurdles winner off the mark chasing at fifth attempt on returning from 264-day absence to take advantage of lower mark on handicap debut over 3m1f at Fairyhouse last month (soft); pulled up after bad mistake at Cork 19 days later; return to 3m to suit and don't rule out.
Lightly raced 7yo won 2m5f Ballinrobe maiden hurdle in 2023 and has run just three times since, including shaping okay on chase debut in decent Naas beginners in March, not nearly as good on Cork return last month; unexposed entering handicap ranks and market may prove best guide.
Won 3m2f Newton Abbot handicap for Paul Nicholls on good ground in May; encouraging yard debut second in 3m Down Royal handicap last month and yet to make a move when faller three out in 3m6f Fairyhouse handicap later in month; has winning form on heavy, remains on the shortlist.
Both chase wins have been on heavy, including 2m6f Fairyhouse handicap off 107 early in 2024; some stiff tasks last season including in contention when falling three out in 3m5f Fairyhouse contest on seasonal return, pulled up after never featuring on last month's Cork return; yard in much better form now so don't rule out with conditions to suit.
Promise in beginners chases last season for Colm Murphy and returned from 316-day absence with creditable third to a hot favourite in 2m4f Naas handicap last month, keeping on; likely big player if staying this 3m trip.
Both handicap wins two years ago came at this trip on soft/heavy, second occasion off 114; long losing run but Fairyhouse third in October was a solid run, tough task from out of the handicap there latest; down in grade, not one to totally rule out.
Best run last season came on seasonal reappearance when chasing home Verdant Place in this race (off 114); hasn't completed in all four outings since, most recently having made early running over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month on seasonal return; entitled to come on for that.
Dual hurdles winner for the late Edward O'Grady is 0-10 chasing and tends to jump left, most recently when second at Clonmel and when not getting home over 2m4f at Naas last month; bit to find with The Lovely Man on latest and opposable on this ground.
Two chase wins in 2021 included valuable C&D novice handicap on heavy; declining mark hasn't sparked a revival in fortunes of late however and remains opposable.
Point-to-point winner; maiden hunter chaser and had struggled in handicaps until coming good off reduced mark over 2m6f at Tramore last month, seeing it out well on soft; 6lb rise but there could be more to come upped in trip here.
Progressive 3m handicap hurdler in 2023/24 season on soft/heavy; underwhelming restricted chase campaign last season but expected to come on for recent hurdles comeback run; 2lb wrong but remains unexposed as a chaser so don't rule out with trip/ground to suit.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
