2.25 CORAL.IE HURDLE

(0-150) (GRADE B) 2M

Ivan Grozny: Former Group 3-placed flat runner in France who developed into a decent juvenile in 2014, ending his season with a defeat of Kitten Rock at Fairyhouse. That form entitles him to respect but he hasn’t run for almost two years and faces no easy task off top weight.

Bentelimar: Enjoyed a terrific time as a novice hurdler last season when his four wins took in a listed contest at Punchestown. Began this term with two placed efforts and another solid showing is possible as he has shown that big weights aren’t a problem.

Waxies Dargle: Useful handicapper at his best as he showed when landing a decent contest (off 130) at Killarney in May and when finishing third to Old Guard at Cheltenham in November. Failed to run any sort of race in the Ladbroke last time and a return to peak form is now imperative.

Buiseness Sivola: Took time to find his form last season but ended the domestic campaign with a Grade 3 win at Fairyhouse which was followed by a second to Petite Parisienne in a top-level contest at Punchestown. Hasn’t run since his fifth to Blue Dragon at Auteuil in June and isn’t without a chance at his best.

Kalkir: Won a Grade 3 on his Irish debut last November and, while he then ran well in defeat, he didn’t build on that promise in two subsequent outings. Hasn’t run since pulling up in the Triumph Hurdle but strong market support over the last week is a significant pointer to his chances.

Cliff House: Useful type who handles testing ground well and won twice over hurdles last season. Signalled that more success was within reach when finishing a 1¾l second to Desoto County (now 7lb worse off) at Thurles last month but most do better again at this level.

De Name Escapes Me: Promising type who got off the mark on his second run over hurdles before running out a smooth winner of a 2m 4f rated novice hurdle on his latest outing at Fairyhouse. Has more to offer and the return to this trip isn’t a problem.

The Plan Man: Showed up well in a couple of decent handicaps in the first half of last year and when chasing home Vive La France at Galway in July but has struggled to match that level on his last three runs and he pulled up last time.

Archive: Decent bumper horse whose hurdling career began with a win over Disko at Galway. Disappointed in a couple of subsequent starts but a second to Squouateur over 2m 4f here last month was much more encouraging. This is tougher though.

Bamako Moriviere: French import who was having his first start for almost a year when finishing third to Dicosimo in a listed contest on testing ground at Limerick. Shaped up nicely for much of the race that and no surprise to see him take a step forward.

Henry Higgins: Showed plenty of promise through last season before his form dipped. His last fifth behind Blue Hell offered more promise and he could be interesting with further progress.

Princely Conn: Decent novice hurdler last season when he went off favourite for the County Hurdle (finished in midfield). His last two handicap outings don’t offer too much encouragement but he is better than he has shown recently.

Tigris River: Progressed nicely in the autumn when he won three times and took second in the Lartigue Hurdle. Possibly the ground was too testing when he had to settle for fourth behind Dicosimo at Limerick last time and conditions are again a concern.

Vive La France: Stuggled to find his form after arriving from France but put it all together at the Galway Festival when bolting up in a 2m handicap hurdle for which he received a 15lb hike in the ratings. Unraced since then and this is much tougher but is still interesting if he can build on his Galway promise.

Gladiator King: A dead heat with Prince Of Scars in a maiden hurdle here just under a year ago reads well and served notice he was a horse of promise, but little encouragement on the flat or over hurdles since then. He is best watched for now.

Misty Lady: Tough and reliable mare who has won four handicaps between 2m and 3m in the last 12 months and gone up 29lb in the ratings. Her last couple of runs would suggest she has work to do but a return to this trip will suit and she could be dangerous if left alone up front.

Whatsforuwontgobyu: Useful dual purpose type who had more in hand than his winning margin of 1¾l would suggest in a 2m novice handicap hurdle here last month. A 10lb rise for that doesn’t look excessive and a strong challenge is expected.

Desoto County: Rediscoverd the promise he showed in England when winning a 2m handicap hurdle at Thurles on his Irish debut last month. That 1¾l win over Cliff House earned him a 10lb hike in the weights but there could still be more to come. Solid claims.

After Rain: Plenty to like about the way he has progressed since winning a Killarney maiden in August. Turned in a cracking effort in his first handicap when beaten just over 5l into third by Blue Hell at Fairyhouse last time. This is tougher but he is a novice on the up.

Okotoks: Won a Down Royal bumper last May after several solid runs in defeat and got off the mark in a Navan maiden hurdle in September. Couldn’t make a telling impression in a Grade 2 back at that track last time but remains a horse of interest.

Ancient Sands: Experienced dual purpose runner who won at Navan in November and lost nothing in defeat when finishing a 6l second to Copy That over this course and distance last month. He is a solid sort and shouldn’t be far away.

Colla Pier: Improved over hurdles this term, winning a Fairyhouse handicap in October and defying a 9lb rise to score at Punchestown the next month while she has also been placed at Grade 3 and listed level. Another step forward is needed here but this is a race that could suit her well.

Sir Scorpion: Still unexposed type over timber having won both his handicap outings last spring. Landed a useful event here in February before following up at Fairyhouse over Easter. Has gone up 16lb for those wins but could do better still although this is his first run since April.

Good As Gold: Experienced sort who was rewarded for several solid runs in defeat when scoring over 2m at Fairyhouse on New Year’s day. Comes here in good heart but has risen to a career high rating of 119 and others have more scope for improvement.

Bishopslough: Has posted some fair efforts in handicaps since winning a Thurles maiden in October 2013 but struggled to make an impression in this race last year and makes limited appeal on his first run since July.

VERDICT

After Rain has progressed nicely since winning a maiden hurdle at Killarney in August. His latest showing in a good handicap at Fairyhouse looks promising and he lines up with a very solid chance. At the foot of the weights Colla Pier appeals as one that could run very well and she shouldn’t be far away. Henry Higgins is also respected while Buiseness Sivola and Bamako Moriviere could be the pick of the Willie Mullins contingent.