Pace Angles:
Likely even to honest pace. Ebony King made all at Galway and could try the same again, with Avondale and Dysart Dasher also likely to race prominently. A lack of confirmed hold-up horses suggests those with tactical speed could dominate.
Draw/Track Angles:
Kilbeggan’s tight, right-handed layout tends to suit fluent jumpers with handy racing positions. Experience on undulating tracks is a positive but few in this field are fully tested at the venue.
Strongest Contenders:
Full Confession (11-12, W.P. Mullins) – Promising
Back-to-back solid runs, latest win at Downpatrick came despite less-than-ideal conditions. Smooth hurdling style, looks well suited by this trip, but stable prefers easier ground. Still, clearly improving and the one to beat on balance of form.
Costacurta (11-12, H. De Bromhead) – Promising
Impressive 17-length winner here in May. Sound surface suits, still raw but galloped strongly clear and bred to progress over middle distances. Danger to all if repeating that.
Avondale (11-12, B. Connell) – Progressive
Strong on the Flat, visually dominant in a Bellewstown maiden and not disgraced in Listed company at Galway. Improving and versatile, shapes like a hurdler with more to come – but temperament/settling could be a factor.
Main Dangers:
Dysart Dasher (11-12, W.P. Mullins) – Proven
Took time to come to hand but recent maiden win was decisive. Rider had to work hard to navigate Kilbeggan’s bends, suggesting a stiffer track would suit. Still, Townend sticks and horse clearly has talent.
Catena Zapata (11-12, I.P. Donoghue) – Improving
Career-best when winning small-field event latest. Has quirks but tongue-tie/cheekpieces helped. More required here, but sneaks into the conversation with a replication of that latest display.
Ebony King (11-9, A. Slattery) – Promising
2-2 over hurdles/bumpers, strong front-running debut at Galway. Still physically immature but raw ability is clear. Question is how much more there is short-term – but deserves respect.
Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis:
- Full Confession: 9/10 – Sound hurdler, progressive, yard flying. Slight going worry.
- Costacurta: 9/10 – Proven track winner, stayed strongly. Has upside.
- Avondale: 8.5/10 – Improving, versatile, could go well if settles.
- Dysart Dasher: 8/10 – Stable confidence, quirky but talented.
- Ebony King: 7.5/10 – Unexposed, front-runner, lacks seasoning.
- Catena Zapata: 6.5/10 – Better last time but temperament query.
- Rest: Not rated in this grade.
Advice:
“Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for lightly raced hurdlers, particularly those stepping out of weak maidens.”
Private Tissue Estimate (Top 6):
- Full Confession – 5/2
- Costacurta – 3/1
- Avondale – 4/1
- Dysart Dasher – 11/2
- Ebony King – 7/1
- Catena Zapata – 10/1
Summary + Smart Play:
A competitive novice hurdle with several upwardly mobile types. Full Confession brings the strongest overall profile, representing top connections and appearing well suited by race conditions. Costacurta is the main danger on visual impression from his course win. Avondale and Dysart Dasher bring depth, with Ebony King possibly underestimated.
Smart Play:
- Win: Full Confession – Top yard, strong profile, room for more.
- Saver: Costacurta – Course form and stamina key assets.
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