3.00 DELOITTE

NOVICE HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M 2F

Bacardys: Reached the frame in champion bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown either side of a Grade 2 triumph at Aintree last April. Bounced back from a fall on his jumping debut to win a maiden here in December and should certainly improve off that but the form of that last success leaves him with work to do.

Blood Crazed Tiger: Did well for the switch to hurdling this season when winning his first three starts over timber (two of them over 3m) and ran a creditable third to Death Duty in a Naas Grade 1 before falling here last time. Given that he has already come up short at this level, he could be one to pass over.

Bravissimo: Returned from two years off to make a winning Irish debut in a 2m 3f maiden hurdle at Limerick and a step-up in class should hold no fears for him. This is a far better race but he is an intriguing runner and it will be very interesting to see how he fares at this level.

Gunnery Sergeant: Looked a potentially smart type last season and has shown steady progression in three outings this season, culminating in a 2m maiden hurdle win at Punchestown last month. He could do better still but at this level others make more appeal.

Saturnas: Impressed in a Naas maiden win in November and looked to better the form of his Royal Bond second when beating Brelade by 2l in a 2m Grade 1 here next time. After just three runs over hurdles he can progress further and he is the only graded race winner in the field.

Brelade: Likeable type who followed a Naas bumper win with a maiden success at Navan and progressed again to chase home Saturnas in a Grade 1 last time. He can keep improving and this slight step-up in trip will suit.

Bunk Off Early: Capable 82-rated flat horse whose first start since October 2015 saw him run out quite a stylish winner of a maiden hurdle here just after Christmas. It is hard to know what the form of that jumping debut amounts to but he looked quite a classy sort that day and he could easily hold his own at this level.

Chateau Conti: Registered a pair of AQPS victories in France in May and made a bright start to his Irish career with an easy 7½l victory over a 121-rated rival at Cork last month. He is a fascinating runner, open to any amount of improvement, and warrants due consideration.

Riven Light: Was left clear at the last to win easily on his jumping debut at Thurles but indifferent jumping on his next start saw him finish 14l behind Saturnas in a Grade 1 at this track and he must do far better if he is to make an impression here.

Barra: Followed two good runs in defeat in maidens with an utterly dominant 12l triumph in a mares’ maiden at Fairyhouse last time. She appeals as one that can hold her own in good company and, while she needs to take her form to another level for this, it is interesting that connections are letting her take on geldings of this calibre.

VERDICT

Bunk Off Early impressed on his hurdling debut here in December. In an especially open edition of this race, he is chosen ahead of his Grade 1-winning stablemate Saturnas. Brelade has a couple of lengths to make up on Saturnas from their meeting here at Christmas but the longer trip will help his cause and he will run well.