Thurles Rated Novice Hurdle

Physically imposing sort; unbeaten in bumpers at Killarney and Galway, almost a year apart, making all on latter occasion; beaten 17l by a smart horse at Naas on hurdling debut; took advantage of a mishap to the highly regarded El Cairos to win a maiden at Leopardstown; ground was yielding then; big chance if he handles it soft now.

Point winner; scored easily on hurdle debut at Galway in October (2m, yielding) and might have followed up there (2m4f, good to yielding) later that month but for falling at the final flight; pulled up in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham; recent Navan third provides some reassurance.

Back-to-back winner of a maiden and a novice hurdle on decent ground last May/June; has failed to deliver on expectations in handicaps; needs to run up to his mark to feature here; stable in form again after a quiet January.

Promising second behind the well-regarded Love Sign d'Anou (now a bumper winner for Willie Mullins) on sole point-to-point start; made most for winning hurdles debut at Wexford (2m4f, good to yielding); better in defeat when second to a progressive type at Fairyhouse; respected.

Smart bumper form including a defeat of Monday's Grade 1 winner Doctor Steinberg at Clonmel last March; not yet as good over hurdles, beaten twice since winning a Cork maiden on good ground last summer.