Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle

No win since December 2024 and recent chase efforts have not suggested a return to the winners' enclosure is imminent; new cheekpieces need to spark a revival back over hurdles.

Three-time winner over hurdles, a maiden and two novices, the most recent at Thurles in February (20.5f, soft); last two runs have come at that venue, a close third in a Grade 3 and a good second behind a 146-rated chaser in a conditions hurdle; has not fared well in previous handicap runs but respected.

Won at this meeting last year after a break and has generally held form well since, adding wins over hurdles at Listowel and on the Flat at Thurles; went close at Galway in October on last run over timber and just 2lb higher here; pleasing return on the Flat at Navan last week; interesting.

Point-to-point winner in March 2024; stepped forward from low-key rules debut at Punchestown when winning a maiden at that venue in January (19.5f, sft-hvy); added a Navan novice hurdle (22.5f, soft) 16 days ago; could go well on handicap bow if acting on better ground.

Point-to-point winner won a Galway maiden (16.5f, yielding) on his hurdling debut in October; fell at the last when holding every chance in a 20.5f novice back there later that month; has pulled up in two of his last three starts and now makes handicap debut; risky.