D'Icon Novice Handicap Hurdle

Killarney juvenile maiden hurdle winner last summer and returned from winter break for shock 25-1 win in C&D handicap last month (soft), patiently ridden and coming home well to win with a bit in hand; 6lb rise looks workable, should go well.

Hooded since looking tricky on his debut, showing decent turn of foot to win Leopardstown maiden at Christmas but soundly beaten both starts since in competitive Cheltenham contests, too keen and hung right first occasion and then never sighted in Fred Winter at the Festival; down in grade here.

Off the mark in Down Royal maiden last summer (2m1f, good) and better form when second in 2m Gowran handicap on soft; after a break didn't count in very valuable Leopardstown mares' handicap at the DRF in February; this is less competitive so don't rule out.

Runner-up in Belclare maiden point-to-point and nice bit of improvement on second maiden hurdle run when C&D fifth (heavy) at Christmas; unable to build on that at Down Royal following month when fourth (second and third won afterwards) but still enters calculations on handicap debut.

C&D maiden hurdle winner (heavy) in November; has run well in a couple of handicaps although too keen and didn't get home on latest at Gowran; not one to rule out, providing he settles better (tongue-tie added).