Ndaawi, who finished runner-up in the 2024 Guinness Galway Hurdle, can go one place better in another fine renewal of the race.
Last year, Gordon Elliott’s then four-year-old was no match for Nurburgring, but it is not unfair to suggest he was not best positioned from an early stage and did well to nab second place on the line.
He was running off a mark of 134 on that occasion and is 11lbs higher now but that is more than reasonable for an improving sort who gives the impression he has plenty more to give.
On his next outing, after the Galway Hurdle, he contested the Cesarewitch at Newmarket but failed to stay the trip and put in a subpar performance. Off from that outing in October until contesting the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he raced prominently and while he was outpointed close home by Kargese, the form is rock-solid, with winners aplenty in behind.
The start of last year’s race was far from perfect, and one would expect, under normal circumstances, that this fellow would have been ridden more prominently. In the expectation that he will do so today, he can go one place better.
When Zarak The Brave won this race in 2023, he became the first four-year-old in more than 20 years to do so, but last season there was a one-two for the juveniles, and thus it would be folly to overlook the youngsters in this year’s renewal.
Puturhandstogether is in that age group and has leading claims. A runaway winner of the Fred Winter, he was placed in a Grade One on his next start and, on his return from a three-month break, he caught the eye in the Grimes Hurdle, won by Jesse Evans. His mark of 141 is workable and he deserves utmost respect.
Mr Percy (left) will be worth keeping an eye on. File picture: Healy Racing
His stablemate, Mr Percy, is also worth considering. Beaten in a maiden on the Flat at this meeting in 2024, he has progressed since and his most recent outing resulted in a victory which saw his rating go up 8lbs to 95. If he can replicate that improvement in this sphere – with just five runs over hurdles to his name, there is every chance he can do so – he will play a leading role.
Jalila Moriviere has had just three runs on these shores and is likely to leave that form behind in time. The only concern today is her relative lack of experience. Veterans Jesse Evans and Lord Erskine come here in great form but this demands even more and they’ll need luck to get heavily involved.
Although Gavoo has the welter burden of 10-3 to carry in the Guinness Irish EBF Nursery, David Marnane’s colt can make his class count. While he was behind Which Wolf Wins last time, the longer trip and being better off at the weights indicate him reversing the form.
Glenroyal can get off the mark for his career by taking the second-last race, the Guinness 0.0 Handicap, for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle.
He has plenty of placed form on his card but the Australia half-brother to strong stayers Lagostovegas and Cool Colonnade is taking a significant step up in trip, which should see him in a much better light. He looks potentially very well handicapped off 66 and is deserving of the nap selection.
2:10 Westport Cove
2:45 Quar Shamar
3:20 Fingerpaint
3:55 Gavoo (nb)
4:30 Ndaawi
5:05 Cameletta Vega
5:40 Glenroyal (nap)
6:10 Wartime Leader
Next best
2:10 Birdie Or Bust
2:45 Retracement
3:20 Bellaphina
3:55 Which Wolf Wins
4:30 Mr Percy
5:05 I Am River
5:40 Atheneum
6:10 Parnell Street