1.50 LAWLOR’S OF NAAS

NOVICE HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M 4F

Battleoverdoyen: Hugely exciting sort who impressed in defeating several subsequent winners on his debut in a Punchestown bumper in November. On his hurdling debut at Navan last month, he produced a display of some quality to trounce his rivals by 13l and he promises to do even better at this trip. His lack of experience is a concern, but he appeals as a Grade 1-class performer and a strong showing is expected.

Come To Me: Sparingly campaigned seven-year-old who won a decent Punchestown bumper over two years ago and was having just his second run since then when dominating a 2m maiden at Cork last month. He should do better as he goes up in trip and is not one to underestimate.

First Approach: Looked a nice staying type when landing a 2m4f bumper on his reappearance at Tipperary in October and he was also a wide margin winner of a 2m6f maiden hurdle at Down Royal a couple of months ago. On his last start at Navan, he had to settle for fourth behind Easy Game in the Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle, and this race demands more.

Getareason: Has shown useful form in bumpers and over hurdles over the last year and turned in his best effort yet to finish a 2l second to Easy Game in a 2m4f Grade 2 at Navan last month. This represents another step up in class, but that last run offered plenty of encouragement and he could yet have more to offer.

Lone Wolf: Ended last season with a narrow success in a 2m2f bumper at Punchestown and he had previously suggested he could do well over hurdles with a good third to Hardline in a useful event at that track. His comeback success in a 2m2f Fairyhouse maiden hurdle last month was pleasing, and the benefit of that run and this longer trip will both work in his favour. He is a contender.

Magnium: Didn’t run his race last time out, but his previous neck second to Easy Game in a 2m4f Navan Grade 2 and his runner-up finish to Aramon in a Grade 3 before that are testament to his standing as a smart novice hurdler. His last run looks all wrong, but even so he has to step forward to play a major role here.

Tornado Flyer: Ended last season as one of the best bumper horses around after finishing a good third to Relegate at Cheltenham before defeating Blackbow to win a Punchestown Grade 1. A returning success in a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month promised much and he should mount a strong challenge for victory before becoming one of the season’s leading novice hurdlers.

Commander Of Fleet: Looked a cracking prospect when winning last season’s Land Rover Bumper and returned to the fray with a 2m4f maiden hurdle success at Punchestown, but he struggled coming back to 2m in last month’s Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and he must to vastly better over a trip that will be much more to his liking.

Sams Profile: Interesting contender for a trainer who has previously done well in this race. Progressed from a pleasing Punchestown Festival debut to win a Cork maiden hurdle on his return in October, and he lost little in defeat in a 3m Cork Grade 3 last time when going down by 4l to the subsequent Grade 2 scorer Derrinross.

There is surely more to come from him, so a good showing wouldn’t shock.

VERDICT

A fascinating clash between a pair of top-class prospects in Tornado Flyer and Battleoverdoyen. Marginal preference is for the first-named who was a top-class bumper horse last season and should prove just as good as a hurdler.

Battleoverdoyen is a top prospect and is likely to push Tornado Flyer very close. Lone Wolf should make up into a good staying novice hurdler this season and represents a credible threat to the aforementioned pair.