1.40 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Bleu De Vassy: Professional novice ran out a ready winner of the Grade 3 For Auction at Navan before finishing a nine-length Grade 1 second behind Romeo Coolio in the fog here over Christmas. Rated 139 and likely he’ll need to improve again but his experience a big advantage if others stepping out of maiden company don’t jump so well.

Eastern Legend: Useful flat performer is well up to winning races over hurdles but has five lengths to find with Bleu De Vassy on the basis of their Christmas clash. Still a maiden in this sphere and others look likelier winners.

Good And Clever: British raider has decent bumper form, winning readily at Warwick before finishing third in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last spring. Second to the well-regarded Regent’s Stroll in a Newbury maiden hurdle before his latest third to Potters Charm in Aintree Grade 1 on St Stephen’s Day. That form took a knock when the winner was turned over at Cheltenham last weekend. Needs to improve again.

Kaid d’Authie: Held in high regard by Willie Mullins and sent off 1/3 on stable debut when falling at the fifth hurdle. Made amends back here over Christmas in what is typically a strong race, though the form hasn’t exactly worked out positively since (all bar one of his 11 rivals have run since and none have won). Remains an exciting prospect.

Karafon: Finished behind Bleu De Vassy and Eastern Legend when beaten 16 and a half lengths by Romeo Coolio in Grade 1 here over Christmas (previously won Clonmel maiden hurdle easily). Useful type but needs to prove he belongs at this level and might be worth watching more so with a view to a Cheltenham Festival handicap (this run will make him eligible).

Karniquet: Made a big impression when winning a Tramore maiden hurdle on his stable bow in November, though bombed out in Grade 1 company here at the Christmas Festival (a bad mistake early doing him no favours). Could bounce back, though a career-best needed. Another who will be eligible for a Cheltenham Festival handicap after this.

Kopek Des Bordes: Beautifully-bred No Risk At All five-year-old could hardly have been more impressive when bolting up in valuable sales bumper at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival and showed that big engine again when scoring on his first start over hurdles here at Christmas despite some desperately poor jumping. Form got a boost when runner-up Kawaboomga won a strong maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last weekend. Needs to brush up his jumping but clearly highly talented.

Redemption Day: Grade 1 bumper winner raced without the hood that had worked so well on his previous two starts when debuting over hurdles here at Christmas, well beaten in fourth by the promising Workahead. On that evidence, the refitting of a hood should be a positive but - despite the fact he’s high-class - this is no easy task for a maiden over hurdles.

Sea Of Sands: One-time German Derby Trial winner won a Listowel maiden hurdle on his stable bow in September and ran creditably enough in the Royal Bond to finish third, but disappointed when pulled up here in Grade 1 won by Romeo Coolio at Christmas. Excuse for that effort likely that he was clinically abnormal post race. Returns in a hood and tongue-tie with improvement required.

Whinney Hill: Lots to like about his Navan Racing Festival bumper win and big showing on first start over hurdles when third to Kopek Des Bordes and Kawaboomga in a Christmas maiden hurdle here. Life not getting any easier for this maiden now tried in Grade 1 company but is a useful operator with scope for improvement so possible he’ll outrun his long odds if inexperience doesn’t catch up with him.

Conclusion:

Five of the last seven winners of this have gone on to win in Grade 1 company at the Cheltenham Festival, so this should be a key pointer for the remainder of the season. Despite concerns over how Kopek Des Bordes jumped last time, he is full of potential and will surely have been well schooled since so gets the verdict. Kaid d’Authie will be ready to pick up the pieces if the selection puts in another mixed round of jumping.