1.35 Racing TV €12 Per Month Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Ben Siegel: Average rating on the flat but looked a much better hurdler when winning his sole start at Punchestown, running a smart time in the process, quicker than that of Grand Jury later on the card. Not seen since that late November run and stepping up in class now, but could easily run very well.

Fil Dor: Very smart juvenile from the same family as A Plus Tard. Three from three over hurdles, stepping forward on each occasion, most notably over this course and distance when extending his superiority over previous rival Lunar Power in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle here at Christmas. That sets a hefty standard.

Icare Allen: French recruit for top connections and showed good attitude to win first time up here at Christmas, a maiden hurdle that often works out very well (won recently by Mr Adjudicator, Sir Erec and Ivanovich Gorbatov). More needed now into this Grade 1 but plenty of scope to improve again.

Il Etait Temps: French recruit (fifth and second in AQPS bumpers) thrown into the deep end for his first start in Ireland. Very difficult to read but his trainer has form with this, having allowed Haut En Couleurs to run in the Triumph Hurdle first time out last season (finished third).

The Tide Turns: Got to a rating of 77 on the flat but looks set to much better over hurdles after debut win at Punchestown. Scope to improve now but this is significant jump in class.

Vauban: Listed winner on the flat in France before acquired by top connections. Well touted before his debut run at Punchestown where he only found Pied Piper too good, the pair of them clear, and running a good time in the process. That form was significantly enhanced by the winner’s effort in a Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham last week. Should have learned plenty from that run and he has to be a big player now despite his maiden status.

Scenic Look: Improved for each of his last two starts but still needs a significant step up in performance.

Six Feet Apart: Improved to win listed fillies’ hurdle at Doncaster, having earlier finished well held by the runner-up Sea Sessions at Aintree. However she was well held by Fil Dor here at Christmas.

Vadaly: Similar to Il Etait Temps, another Willie Mullins French recruit for top owner in Kenny Alexander. She won her only start to date, a hurdle at Dieppe, so she has experience, but this is a tough ask on her first start in Ireland

Conclusion

This is intriguing, with Fil Dor promoted to slight favourite over Vauban once declarations came out. That looks right as Gordon Elliott’s juvenile hurdler has an experience edge and the course know how over his main market rival. Ben Siegel might be one who could run well at a big price.