PAISLEY PARK can defend his Stayers’ Hurdle crown.
Emma Lavelle’s superstar has been on a different level this season and took the Cleeve Hurdle here last time without breaking sweat. He goes on any ground and can justify his short odds.
Penhill won this in 2018 and has been lightly raced since. He warmed up with a solid second at Navan and has place prospects.
Summerville Boy chased home Paisley Park last time when proving his stamina. A repeat would see him on the podium. More rain would help Emitom who scored nicely at Haydock latest.
Apple’s Jade wasn’t right last time but has plenty of Festival form and is another who could hit the frame.
ASK DILLON 1/5
Good run in the mud when second in a Sandown handicap last time stays well. Has cheekpieces on for the first time and looks outclassed in this much tougher company.
BACARDYS 2/5
Dual Grade 1 winner in his younger days but fell in this in 2018 and was a well held sixth 12 months ago. Went close at Punchestown after that and landed a decent win at Navan in November. Has been well beaten twice and needs very best to hit the places.
CITY ISLAND 3/5
Won the Ballymore here last season and back over hurdles after not firing over fences. Has had a wind operation and we know he likes the track. Should see out this longer trip and should be much happier hurdling again.
DONNA’S DIAMOND 2/5
Held in a couple of Grade 2 contests at Haydock after returning from chasing. Hasn’t shown anything that suggests he can win this.
EMITOM 4/5
Mudlark who won a fair race at Haydock last time when every yard of this trip helped. Good second in a hot race at Aintree’s Grand National meeting and open to improvement at six. Has live place claims.
L’AMI SERGE 3/5
Enigmatic hurdler who often travels well but doesn’t win as many as he should. Was midfield in this last year before winning well at Aintree where the flatter track probably helped. Needs big personal best.
LISNAGAR OSCAR 3/5
Back over hurdles this season and ran his best race for a while when third behind Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle here last time. Needs a big step forward from that but the track suits and he could nick a place.
PAISLEY PARK 5/5
Class act with won this race in style last season and has not needed top gear to score both times this campaign. He jumps well, stays and goes on any ground. Looks one of the safest bets of the whole meeting with plenty in hand over his rivals.
PENHILL 4/5
Last win was this race in 2018 and he showed positive signs when second at Gowran and then Navan last time. We know he stays this far and the track suits well. All ground comes the same and he has every chance of a place.
RONALD PUMP 2/5
Has mixed chasing and hurdling this season but has been much better over the smaller obstacles. Good handicap second in a big field at Leopardstown at Christmas bodes well and he’s one of the better outsiders.
SUMMERVILLE BOY 4/5
Won the Supreme over 2m in 2018 and ended some modest runs with a Grade 2 win here and a fair second behind Paisley Park in the Cleeve. Not likely to reverse that form but could be best of the rest.
THE JAM MAN 1/5
Has done really well in staying handicaps and was a good fourth in a solid race here on New Year’s Day. This is a much hotter contest so a lot more is needed.
TOBEFAIR 1/5
Does most of his racing around here and won a couple of handicaps before being put in his place in the Cleeve last time. Should be a similar result today.
WEST APPROACH 2/5
Last three wins have been over fences and he didn’t show a lot on return to hurdling last time. Stays all day but was ninth last year and hard to make a case for.
APPLE’S JADE 3/5
Having her fourth Festival run with a Mares’ Hurdle win to her name. Tackled the Champion Hurdle last season and won a Leopardstown Grade 1 over this trip before flopping at Gowran when not looking right. Big price for a place but hard to see her winning.
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