1.45 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Absurde: High-class operator on the flat, winning this year’s Ebor before running a cracker to finish seventh in the Melbourne Cup (possibly found wanting for stamina at the death). Easy winner on hurdling debut at Killarney in July but bombed out as 4/6 favourite on only other start in this sphere at Galway Festival. Place claims.

Caldwell Potter: Runner-up to It’s For Me on his hurdling bow at Punchestown before taking nice step forward to score at Navan earlier this month in dominant fashion. Bred in the purple as a brother to Mighty Potter and a half-brother to French Dynamite, Indiana Jones and Brighterdaysahead. Improvement still needed.

Daddy Long Legs: Bought for €210,000 after finishing a close second on his sole flat start in France last year and created an excellent impression when bolting up in a Thurles maiden hurdle last month. Willie Mullins’ best chance, according to jockey bookings.

Down Memory Lane: Impressive winner of a point-to-point, a bumper and - most recently - a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott and J.P. McManus. This is clearly a big step up from the maiden hurdle he won at Down Royal but that performance indicated he’s well worth a crack at this level. Big player.

Fascile Mode: Looked an excellent prospect when bolting up in a bumper here last Christmas but hasn’t been up the task so far when tried in Grade 1 company. Not disgraced when beaten eight and a half lengths in the Royal Bond last time but more needed now.

Predators Gold: Goffs Defender Bumper winner delivered really likeable display when winning on hurdling debut over an extended two miles and three furlongs last time. Light on experience and down in trip but unbeaten four-year-old is a quality sort.

Smooth Tom: Useful flat performer has won both hurdles starts and could have more to come. Still, this demands much more than either of those assignments.

The Big Doyen: Galway Festival winner ran with credit when third in two-mile-and-five-furlong novice hurdle at Cheltenham last time. Experience a help but this looks tougher.

Westport Cove: Too keen for his own good in last season’s Champion Bumper when tailed off but otherwise two from two in a bumper and maiden hurdle. Unexposed type needs a career best.