4.50 Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Batman Girac: French winner who has yet to get his head in front in this country. Well beaten in the Boodles, before finishing fifth in Grade 2 class at Fairyhouse. Would be something of a surprise if he were to gain a first Irish success in this exalted company.

Bottler’secret: Unbeaten over hurdles, including Grade 2 latest. Developed into a smart type on the flat last year. Totally unexposed with the potential to take the step up in class in his stride. Does have to prove his ability to handle quicker ground but no other obvious negatives.

Bunting: Limerick maiden hurdle winner over Christmas. Had excuses when behind a couple of these in Leopardstown Grade 1 at Dublin Racing Festival but failed to reverse placing in the Triumph Hurdle. Nothing to suggest he can do any better on this occasion.

Eastern Legend: Maiden over hurdles. Progressed into a decent handicapper on the flat last season. Gave little encouragement when last of eight in Fairyhouse Grade 2 hurdle on jumping debut but interesting that shrewd connections pitch him in against the best in the division here.

Highwind: A winner on the flat in France. Made a successful Irish/jumping debut over course and distance last January. Well behind a few of these on two subsequent starts. Looks up against it in this grade.

Karl Des Tourelles: Made a winning debut at Gowran Park in February. Creditable runner-up to Bottler’secret at Fairyhouse last time but worse off at these weights. Lightly raced, unexposed juvenile but will need to step up on previous form.

Nurburgring: Grade 3 winner at Fairyhouse in December. Just behind Kargese at Leopardstown over Christmas. Unable to confirm that form when fourth in the Triumph Hurdle but combination of better ground and first-time cheekpieces make him of definite interest.

Storm Heart: Punchestown maiden winner on New Year’s Eve. Stayed on strongly when runner-up to Kargese in Grade 1 at Dublin Racing Festival but wasn’t able to repeat that effort when only fifth in the Triumph Hurdle latest.

Kargese: Leopardstown Grade 1 winner at Dublin Racing Festival. Went down fighting when runner-up at both Cheltenham and Aintree. Almost certainly the best horse in this race provided the effects of a long season don’t catch up on her. Would be a deserving winner given her exploits at the top level in recent months.

Miss Manzor: Flat and hurdles winner in France. Opened her Irish account at Fairyhouse in January. Creditable runs in both the Boodles and Grade 2 hurdle subsequently still leave her with a bit to find. Will require a career-best performance if she is to cause a minor upset.

Verdict:

Although this comes at the end of a long season where she has performed admirably at the top level, Kargese has the class to gain a second Grade 1 success. Despite finishing runner-up at both Cheltenham and Aintree, the Willie Mullins-trained filly gave the impression this tighter track will suit even better. Nurburgring, who finished ahead of a few of these when fourth at Cheltenham, could be the biggest danger now. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding is fresher than most at this stage of the campaign. Bottler’secret is the obvious unknown quantity in the line-up given he has yet to be tested at this level.