3.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

A Path To Ronda: Less than two lengths behind Cheltenham Grade 1 winner when second at Warwick in February; had to work harder than expected to land short odds at Kelso last time; not without her chance on her very best form but likely to find a few of these too strong.

Amen Kate: Ran better than bare form suggests at Cheltenham last time; got left at the start and, was far from disgraced in the circumstances; had looked to be going the right way prior to that; one that could easily outrun her odds.

Blue Velvet: Suffered early interference when down the field at Cheltenham last month; had landed her maiden at Punchestown prior to that; needs to improve but could run well at a big price.

Carrigmoornaspruce: Well fancied at Cheltenham having finished runner-up in Grade 1 on previous start; failed to give her true running at the festival but is almost certainly much better than that; no surprise to see her bounce back here.

Future Prospect: Had looked good when winning at Naas in January; never involved and tailed off when pulled up at Cheltenham subsequently; surely better than that run suggests but needs to improve on balance of her form.

How’s Hannah: Went down fighting when second to Zanoosh at Limerick last time; won’t find it easy to reverse that form on 3lb worse terms now but had looked a smart prospect in her earlier runs and, far too early to dismiss.

Jackie Hobbs: Had a number of these in behind when fifth at Cheltenham last time; has done little wrong in her short career to date and, comes into this race with more obvious claims than most.

Kingston Queen: Beat the Cheltenham Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner at Warwick in February but couldn’t confirm that form last time; stepping back up in trip looks very much in her favour and, she isn’t without her chance on her best form.

Oldschool Outlaw: Sets a clear standard on her second placed finish at Cheltenham last month; definitely the mare to beat if this race doesn’t come too soon but a number of her rivals return off a similar gap; another who should enjoy the extra test of stamina.

Place De La Nation: Behind Oldschool Outlaw on her latest two starts; will need to improve to get the better of the former but should relish this test of stamina; the more it rains, the better her chances.

Zanoosh: Chasing a five-timer over hurdles; stepped up to win a Grade 2 at Limerick last month; hasn’t had as taxing a season as most of these and, comes into the race with leading claims.

Charme De Faust: Belied her inexperience when fourth at Cheltenham; granted normal improvement, she should be capable of putting it up to the two that finished in front of her (Oldschool Outlaw/Place De La Nation); surely significant that Paul Townend rides.

Conclusion: With the additional half-mile of this contest almost certain to suit, Cheltenham runner-up Oldschool Outlaw looks the one to beat. Having easily dismissed Place De La Nation at this track in February, it is hard to see the latter reverse that form. Lightly-raced duo Zanoosh and Charme De Faust command maximum respect while, British raiders Kingston Queen and Jackie Hobbs shouldn’t be discounted.