1.45 Grade 1 Paddy Power

Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Bleu De Vassy: Two from two over hurdles. The form of his Grade 3 win hasn’t worked out brilliantly, but the manner in which he won seems the most important takeaway.

Court Of Appeal: 65-rated flat performer is up against it on his first start over hurdles

Eastern Legend: Classy flat horse has been disappointing since outrunning his odds at the Punchestown Festival.

Karafon: Blacktype French recruit made his Irish debut in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at this meeting last year.

Absent since then, he made a successful return earlier this month, the form of which will be tested by Karamoja in Thursday’s maiden hurdle at Limerick.

Karniquet: Well-related French recruit drew clear on Irish debut, in a race previously won by the likes of Gaelic Warrior and Laurina. Six of the nine hurdles that day were omitted, making this more than just a step up in grade.

Romeo Coolio: Champion Bumper runner-up was backed as if defeat was out of the question on his hurdle bow, and won as such. He disappointed when second in the Royal Bond next time, but the flat-sourced winner was probably better-suited to conditions, and he is Sam Ewing’s choice here.

Sea Of Sands: Two and three quarter lengths behind Romeo Coolio in the Royal Bond, when his jumping suffered from racing keenly in a slowly-run race. Promising, but his jumping need to improve as he steps up in grade.

Conclusion

An open renewal which, unsurprisingly, looks likely to be won by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins, but by which of their five runners?

I find it hard to get away from the way in which Bleu De Vassy travelled and won last time, which outweighs the fact that Sam Ewing has opted for Romeo Coolio. As we regularly learn, jockeys don’t always choose the right horse, and it often adds to the entertainment during these busy periods.