1.25 Ballymore Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Classical Creek: Point-to-point and bumper winner (also third to Kalypso’chance and Heads Up in the Listed Future Champions Bumper last season) made a pleasing introduction to hurdles when winning by eight lengths at the Navan Racing Festival. That hasn’t worked out a strong piece of form and he did get to boss matters, though (runner-up Fillyoureye beaten since but runs again in 1.40 Cork Saturday). Open to any amount of improvement as an unexposed type and is the choice of Jack Kennedy from Gordon Elliott’s trio.

Fruit De Mer: Would be unbeaten in a point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle but for being demoted to second in a Limerick bumper last March. Lots to like about how he won at the first time of asking over hurdles here in November, albeit that doesn’t look a red-hot piece of form. Falls into the ‘could be anything’ bracket but likely must improve to land a major blow.

I’ll Sort That: Gutsy and battle-hardened campaigner looked to be in real trouble when Theflyingking took command and traded at 2/9 in-running in a Navan Grade 3 last time, but his stamina came to the fore and he’s now won three on the bounce over hurdles. Beaten 12 lengths by Sortudo when they clashed in a Fairyhouse bumper last April, though that was at the end of the season for him. Possibly vulnerable to something with massive star quality, but brings a solid benchmark for the others to get to.

Kovanis: Reasonable run when third to Doctor Steinberg in the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle last time (beaten nine lengths) but looks the stable’s third string here and much more required now.

Letos: Form of his win in the Listed Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle couldn’t have worked out better, with runner-up The Nagger Reidy striking at Leopardstown over Christmas and third-placed Staffordshire Knot landing a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown next time out. Found one too good at Carlisle in a six-runner Pertemps Qualifier three weeks ago, and obviously faces a much stiffer test now in Grade 1 company, but he does stay well at this trip, likes the track and has a considerable experience advantage. Must improve on rating of 131.

Lord Rouge: Half-brother to Grade 3 winner Gin On Lime met a highly-regarded type when second on his point-to-point debut before winning a Cork maiden hurdle on his stable bow four weeks ago. Kept on there as though he’d appreciate stepping up in trip from two miles and a furlong, but it didn’t work out the strongest of races (runner-up well beaten at Christmas).

Saint Baco: Half-brother to Grade 1 and County Hurdle-winning stablemate Saint Roi was bought privately from France after finishing third in a three-year-old hurdle in September 2024. Stylish enough performance as 5/6 favourite when making a winning stable debut at Navan four weeks ago, and that form looks even better now with runner-up Lazare De Star winning readily at Leopardstown last weekend. Big vote of confidence that Paul Townend has sided with him over Sortudo.

Sortudo: Brings some of the best bumper form to the table, having finished second in a Dublin Racing Festival Grade 2, seventh in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and won by 12 lengths over I’ll Sort That at Fairyhouse last season. Had been spoken about as a possible staying novice hurdler by some but had the necessary pace to notch a clearcut win over two miles at Cork on his hurdling bow (beating the long-absent Jalon d’Oudairies, who was just touched off at Leopardstown over Christmas). Hood fitted for the first time then has been removed now. Priced up as favourite for this before Paul Townend was jocked up for the same stable’s Saint Baco.

Switch From Diesel: High-class bumper mare last season (runner-up to Bambino Fever in Punchestown Festival Grade 1). Beaten on first two starts over hurdles as favourite, though not running badly in second and did improve last time in a listed event. This looks a very tough task, though.

Conclusion

With Paul Townend putting his faith in Saint Baco, it’s tough to look beyond the recent Navan winner, whose form got such a boost over the festive period. Stablemate Sortudo remains a top prospect and there should not be much between them. Classical Creek is probably open to more improvement than I’ll Sort That, but if this turns into a real stamina test, the latter will be well suited to it.