A field of nine runners line up for this mid-tier handicap, with a mix of recent winners, returning types, and a few who could be open to improvement. The pace is expected to be solid, which should favour those with proven stamina and prominent styles.


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Strongest Contenders

THE REAL SCREAMER (TFR 86)
Returned from a five-month break with a solid third in a big field at Navan and has two wins on the AW earlier in the year. Stays this trip well and with that run under his belt, he looks poised to go close. Has the highest adjusted Timeform rating in the field and is proven on both soft and polytrack surfaces.

CHURCH MOUNTAIN (TFR 83)
Dropped in the weights and took advantage last time out when scoring decisively at Limerick over 10.5f. Stays the trip well and, although up 7lbs, has gone close off higher in the past. The Denis Hogan yard also runs Expound, but this one’s recent win makes him more compelling.

BRIGHT N SHINE (TFR 84)
Consistent on the Flat last autumn, including a win at Down Royal and a solid third at Dundalk. Absent for 117 days, so market support would be telling, but profiles as a danger if fit. Has handled a variety of ground and wore a tongue tie last time.


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Main Dangers & Each-Way Angles

MOLTO AMICHI (TFR 83)
Caught the eye on reappearance at Dundalk when denied a clear run and finishing strongly. Only lightly raced and stays this trip well. Market strength would be encouraging after a 140-day break. Each-way appeal with 8+ runners.

EXPOUND (TFR 84)
Course winner and consistent type who races prominently. Ran flat last time but had run well in a deeper race prior. The pace should suit, but a trend of trading short in-running and not delivering tempers confidence.

EIGHTY EIGHT (TFR 82)
Another front-runner who can go well fresh. Wasn’t ideally placed last time in a Dundalk claimer but has shown ability at this level. Others arrive with more compelling form, but not entirely discounted.


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Interesting Outsiders

PEARL OF AUSTRALIA (TFR 83+)
Had a patchy profile for Noel Meade and is now with a new yard. Didn’t offer much on hurdles debut but has ability on the Flat. Wouldn’t need to improve much to get involved but the 181-day break is a concern—watch the market.

MOORETOWN LAD (TFR 85)
Won off a similar mark last summer but hasn’t shown much since. Another with time off (33 days) and from a yard currently cold. Capable, but others make more appeal.

SYLKIE (TFR 83)
Triple winner in 2024 but ran poorly on reappearance 20 days ago. Needs to have come on a good deal from that and may need softer conditions to be at his best.


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Trends / Trainer Notes

No previous renewals of this race are on record, so no historical trends available.

Denis Hogan runs two (Expound and Church Mountain) and has placed his runners to win this type of race frequently.

Paul Flynn (The Real Screamer) has had a couple of winners recently and his runner is notably well-treated on best AW form.



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Summary

The Real Screamer has the best recent form and the highest Timeform rating, with scope to improve off his seasonal return. Church Mountain is respected as a last-time-out winner, and Bright N Shine looks solid if primed after a break. Molto Amichi and Expound offer some each-way value, particularly the former if he builds on that eye-catching Dundalk effort.