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Pace and Tactical Set-Up

The pace is expected to be steady, with Must Meet Cecil likely to adopt a front-running role. Fast Felix and Stuntman Steve can also race prominently, but overall this is not a field stacked with confirmed pace angles. Hold-up horses such as Come On The Lads and Frankenedael may find themselves at a tactical disadvantage unless the tempo unexpectedly lifts mid-race.

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Strongest Contenders

LAST KINGDOM (W.P. Mullins) – 8.5/10

• Timeform Rating: 140p | OR: 128 | Days off: 20
• Improved markedly to win a 14-runner novice handicap at Fairyhouse, beating Stuntman Steve.
• From a strong yard (27% strike rate with hurdlers up to 2m2f, 24% in summer months).
• Unexposed and progressive, open to further improvement.
• Won despite interference last time and looks the one to beat.

STUNTMAN STEVE (G. Cromwell) – 7.5/10

• Timeform Rating: 140 | OR: 116 | Days off: 19
• Chased home Last Kingdom at Fairyhouse and again ran well when fifth in a 16-runner listed handicap subsequently.
• Reliable profile; stable in solid form.
• Not much room for improvement, but sets a useful standard and stays well.

MUST MEET CECIL (C.M. Collins) – 7/10

• Timeform Rating: 142 | OR: 112 | Days off: 27 (but off 517 days prior)
• Impressive front-running winner of a Tramore claimer after a long absence.
• Trainer Cian M. Collins won this race in 2023 with Mighty Tom.
• Could be very well treated on old form, but this is a step up.
• Market signals will be crucial given previous long absence.

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Main Dangers

BATMAN GIRAC (W.P. Mullins) – 6.5/10

• Timeform Rating: 139 | OR: 129 | Days off: 29
• Ran respectably in a competitive Ayr handicap after falling in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.
• Questionable temperament noted in his profile; hard to fully trust.
• Trainer runs two and this one has experience in stronger company.

COME ON THE LADS (G. Cromwell) – 6/10

• Timeform Rating: 140p | OR: 116 | Days off: 76
• Handicapping for the first time; lightly raced and scopey on ratings.
• Tends to be held up and may be unsuited by a tactical affair.
• Stable’s second string but not ruled out if market speaks positively.

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Interesting Outsiders

FRANKENDAEL (E. McNamara) – 5.5/10

• Timeform Rating: 140 | OR: 123 | Days off: 104
• Listed handicap winner last year at Listowel but form tailed off since.
• Dropping in class slightly and would be dangerous if recapturing past form.
• Has a fair adjusted rating, though recent form is a concern.

FAST FELIX (E. McCarthy) – 5/10

• Timeform Rating: 138 | OR: 106 | Days off: 211
• Yet to win over hurdles and form is patchy.
• Trainer has a profitable record with runners off a break (Smart Stat: £84.50 level-stakes profit with hurdlers returning from a break).
• Could go forward in a steadily run race.

FIRST DARE (E. Doyle) – 4.5/10

• Timeform Rating: 141 | OR: 118 | Days off: 29
• Fell early at Bellewstown latest; prior form includes a Tramore win in weaker company.
• Overall profile lacks consistency and unclear if she’ll stay the trip in a stronger field.

SHANROE (K. Thornton) – 4/10

• Timeform Rating: 135+ | OR: 128 | Days off: 162
• Unplaced in big-field Fairyhouse handicap last time; has become hard to predict at 11 years of age.
• Long absence and profile suggest watching brief is wisest.

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Notable Trainer Trends

• Willie Mullins (trainer of Last Kingdom and Batman Girac) boasts strong summer stats and dominates these conditions (27% over hurdles ≤2m2f).
• Gavin Cromwell has two live contenders and a history of getting improvement from handicap debutants.
• Cian M. Collins won this in 2023 and returns with an interesting runner in Must Meet Cecil, who mirrors that profile.

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Trends from Past Winners (last 5 renewals)

• All winners carried 11st or more.
• 7yo or younger horses have dominated.
• Winners have included bigger-priced horses, with 33/1 (2024) and 16/1 (2019) scoring in competitive fields.
• Several had prior course form or bounced back from previous disappointments.

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Ratings Summary (Marks out of 10)

Horse	Rating	Days Since Run	Timeform (Adj)	Comment
Last Kingdom	8.5	20	140p	Strongest profile, scopey improver
Stuntman Steve	7.5	19	140	Solid handicap yardstick
Must Meet Cecil	7.0	27	142	Front-runner, big layoff last time
Batman Girac	6.5	29	139	Classy but inconsistent
Come On The Lads	6.0	76	140p	Handicap debut, unexposed
Frankenedael	5.5	104	140	Regressed recently, useful at best
Fast Felix	5.0	211	138	Off a long time, but trainer angle notable
First Dare	4.5	29	141	Unreliable, doubtful stayer
Shanroe	4.0	162	135+	Veteran, profile hard to trust

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Market Watch Advice

Keep a close eye on:

• Must Meet Cecil, returning from 517-day layoff before his latest run.
• Fast Felix and Frankenedael, both absent over 90 days.
• Any strong support for Come On The Lads would be notable on handicap debut.

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Conclusion

Last Kingdom sets the standard with his improving profile, while Stuntman Steve provides a reliable formline and could be considered for each-way purposes if prices allow. Must Meet Cecil could be a major player if his comeback win wasn’t a flash in the pan. Be alert to market signals, particularly for those coming off breaks.