1.20 Nathaniel Lacy &

Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 6f 78yds

Dancing City: Improved from hurdles debut fifth at Navan to score over the same two-and-a-half-mile trip at the Meath track in December, shaping as if this further step up in trip should be no problem. This is a big step up in class however.

I Will Be Baie: Off the mark the first time of asking over hurdles when too strong for the well touted My Trump Card (won since at Navan) in a two-and-a-half-mile contest at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. Both came miles clear and he is another who shapes like this step up in distance will suit him well.

Loughglynn: Ten-length winner of two-mile-five-furlong maiden hurdle at Punchestown in November but handling step up in class with one-length score over Stellar Story at Limerick in two-mile-seven-furlong Grade 2. That contest was slowly run and he was well placed throughout but arguably value for more of a winning margin and this race could be run similarly. Promising type should go well.

Predators Gold: Goffs Defender Bumper winner returned to Punchestown for hurdles bow and won impressively from Mossy Fen Park over an extended two miles and three furlongs. Back in trip for Grade 1 Future Champions here and he was only one to be able to go with Caldwell Potter in the heavy ground conditions, and he may well have got a lot closer bar a bad mistake at the last. Although he takes a big step up in trip now, he shapes like it will suit him and clear vote of confidence with Paul Townend on.

Stellar Story: Shown a good standard on all three starts this season, winning at Navan over two and a half miles before returning to that course and distance to finish third to the useful pair Slade Steel and Lecky Watson in Grade 2. Though beaten by Loughglynn at Limerick, he emerged with plenty of credit in a slowly run contest and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if a stronger stamina test at this trip could see him reverse form with that Mullins runner.

Jetara: Second season novice has come into her own this term albeit all three of her wins have come in mares’ company. Impressive in a good standard Grade 3 here at Christmas, picking up well to beat Pink In The Park and Risk Belle, the latter rated 137, giving credence to her 142 mark. Step up in trip to suit and with mares’ allowance, she sets a useful standard.

Conclusion:

Bar Dancing City, all of these have fairly reasonable claims, so I’d rather look beyond the favourite Predators Gold. Jetara looks pretty solid with conditions likely to suit her here. She gets the vote. Of the less exposed, I Will Be Baie was a taking winner of his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and it won’t be a surprise if he is able to build on that with a big run.