Friday 2 May 2025 | €12,000 | 4yo+ | 13 declared runners | RTV coverage

This looks a competitive renewal of the Uniquely Novice Hurdle, a race historically used as a development platform for up-and-coming hurdlers with graded or useful bumper form. Previous winners include names from high-profile yards such as Willie Mullins, Joseph O’Brien, and Sean Doyle — with Mullins in particular winning six of the last ten editions.

The ground is yielding, and the pace forecast is even, though prominent racers have historically fared best in this contest.

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🥇 Leading Contenders

RUNCOK (FR)

Trainer: W. P. Mullins | Jockey: P. Townend | Timeform Rating: 138
A C&D winner on his hurdling debut, Runcok drops significantly in grade after finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Hardy Eustace Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He’s expected to be ridden handily (positive EPF), which suits the prevailing pace bias. With Townend’s 46% strike rate at this track and Mullins’s race record, this well-bred gelding looks primed to go close.

Timeform notes that he traded notably short in-running last time and found less than expected — suggesting the drop in class could be timely. Market strength would further reinforce confidence.

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NATURALLY NIMBLE (GER)

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien | Jockey: J. J. Slevin | Timeform Rating: 141
Highest rated on Timeform, this four-year-old brings solid juvenile hurdle form including a win at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival. He failed to complete in Grade 1 company at Aintree, but cheekpieces are now applied for the first time, a potentially significant move from a yard who’ve won this race before (Gardens of Babylon, 2019).

His pedigree suggests improvement is possible over further in time, and his EPF suggests a midfield sit, so a tactically aware ride will be crucial. He remains a class act at this level if bouncing back.

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KHRISMA (FR)

Trainer: Nicky Henderson | Jockey: James Bowen | Timeform Rating: 136p
Lightly raced and open to plenty of improvement, this mare shaped with encouragement on hurdles debut at Windsor after a 14-month layoff. Formerly high-class in French bumpers, she was beaten just over two lengths there and shaped as though the run would sharpen her.

Given her absence before that effort, market strength would be a significant positive, particularly on her first Irish start. The ‘p’ in her rating underlines that there’s likely more to come.

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⚠️ Main Dangers

ZOFFMAN (IRE)

Trainer: Noel Meade | Jockey: Donagh Meyler | Timeform Rating: 128p
A Naas maiden winner who previously showed smart Flat form, Zoffman appeals as a hurdler on the upgrade. His style of finishing strongly suggests that the tempo of this contest might suit, and he’s entitled to come on again for just his second hurdles outing. However, he’ll need to progress from a slightly lower base rating than the principals.

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CASHELDALE LAD (IRE)

Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: J. C. Gainford | Timeform Rating: 135
Dictated and ran well when second at Naas last time, having previously won his maiden with ease. May attempt to force the pace again, and his tactical position (EPF +4.5) is favourable. One for the frame if able to repeat that recent level, though a clash for the lead with Runcok is possible.

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🌱 Interesting Outsiders / Unexposed Types

SINE QUA NON (FR)

Trainer: Padraig Roche | Jockey: M. P. Walsh
Shaped very nicely in a Navan bumper last autumn and has since been gelded. Well-bred and handled by a capable team with McManus colours, he looks a long-term type, but this could be a quiet introduction to hurdles unless significant market support emerges. One to watch closely in the ring.

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📉 Horses to Monitor in the Market (60+ Days Off)

• KHRISMA (103 days) – Encouraging hurdles debut; improvement likely but may need support.
• SINE QUA NON (104 days) – Bumper eye-catcher; no hurdles experience.
• HARDYSONOFDAN (381 days) – Absent for over a year; very hard to assess.
• BETWEEN FRIENDS (208 days) – Big layoff; only modest form shown so far.

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📌 Trainers to Note

• Willie Mullins has won 6 of the last 10 renewals, all with runners rated 132+.
• Joseph O’Brien also scored here in 2019 with a similar 4yo, indicating Naturally Nimble is following a known path.
• Gordon Elliott hasn’t won this in the last decade but has regularly placed horses in the frame.

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🎯 Summary

A high-quality novice where Runcok looks set to capitalise on a drop in grade and favourable race conditions. Naturally Nimble is a live threat if the first-time cheekpieces help and a clean trip unfolds. Khrisma and Zoffman look like progressive types, with Khrisma especially interesting if the betting signals turn positive.

Each-way players can find a few angles with 13 runners declared, and Sine Qua Non is a dark one worth monitoring with Walsh booked and an encouraging bumper run under his belt.