Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle 2012

6.05 Punchestown

Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €49,600

Advice: 3 pts win Felix Yonger (2/1 Bet Victor)

Beneficent: Impressive winner two starts back but given no chance in Deloitte after pulling up in Thurles novice hurdle; Belied odds of 50/1 to land aforementioned event, being given easy lead but sticking on gamely to deny Sous Les Cioux; Consensus of opinion is that he was lucky to do so and Neptune effort didn’t do much to dispel that theory.

Colour Squadron: Down the field in Supreme at Cheltenham but had looked like a very good novice beforehand, beating Montbazon by a length and then throwing away his chance of a Grade 1 win at Sandown in the meantime by hanging badly left after last; Travelling well when falling at Aintree and known to like soft ground, so interesting here.

Dedigout: Won his first two hurdles starts in such good fashion that he was sent off just 11/10 for the Slaney Novice Hurdle; Third behind Monksland and Lyreen Legend that day but not a bad effort and took advantage of lowly mark of 132 to win competitive handicap at Fairyhouse last time and respected.

Felix Yonger: Beaten first time out over hurdles but fairly taking Grade 2 win at Naas despite some dodgy jumping at the last two nonetheless and followed that up with excellent Neptune second at the Festival, the standout form in this race; This on much more testing ground but has won twice on soft/heavy so good chance that he’ll handle this sort of test and has to be given respect here as the one to beat.

Jenari: Has looked set to become disappointing over hurdles but put that right when relishing the step up in trip to land a Grade 2 over hurdles last time, taking advantage of a 5lbs weight pull he had with Lyreen Legend along with the benefit of good ground; That turnaround now reversed half a length in Lyreen Legend’s favour  and ground far different, so has things thougher today although he’s respected.

Lyreen Legend: Admirable and consistent sort who has held his place in some of the top contests this season, coming second to Monksland and Boston Bob before winning Grade 2 of her own in impressive style; Beaten easily by Jenari last time but was 5lbs badly in with him and now meets him back on better terms on her own ground, so entitled to major respect.

Rebel Fitz: Not seen in 152 days but has to be given a big chance on pure form of his Grade 2 second to Mount Benbulben when giving 3lbs; Would be quite tempting each/way option at the prices but fitness might be an issue from extended break.

Texas Jack: Not lived upto the style and promise of his opening two successes, disappointing behind Mount Benbulben, Boston Bob and Felix Yonger in successive Grade 2’s before his well beaten fourth at Fairyhouse last time; May well want the ground faster than it is today.

VERDICT: A good renewal of this race, like most of the middle distance staying novice hurdles at this festival this year. The form choice here based on his Neptune second behind Simonsig is FELIX YONGER, who had Monksland 11 lengths behind back in third that day. This is far more testing ground but he’s won twice on ground labelled soft/heavy and if handling the conditions, he’s the one to beat. Lyreen Legend is a fascinating contender, as he’s taken so well to testing ground this year while improving hand over fist. He can reverse form with Jenari, who enjoyed a weight pull and much better ground when beating the aforementioned horse by 4 & 1/2 lengths in the Getaway Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last time. Dedigout also looks sure to run his race.