12:50 WWW.NAASRACECOURSE.COM MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

An interesting maiden hurdle and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Macbride is given the nod. The six-year-old proved to be very progressive in bumpers in 2014, winning three such contests in good style. While he proved a bit disappointing on his hurdling debut at Thurles in January, the ground could well have been too soft for him on that occasion and with this sounder surface to suit, he could well make a winning return to action. One that has been absent even longer than the selection is the Noel Meade-trained Powder Hound. The five-year-old showed plenty of ability in maiden hurdle in 2013/14 and the market should give a good indicator as to what is expected of him on his return.