2m (Inner) Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+)
It’s a super renewal of the Royal Bond on what is a cracking day of racing in Ireland. Champ Kiely has looked highly impressive in both his hurdles wins for the Mullins yard, he’s firmly the stable’s first string and could be hard to beat.
But novices can improve significantly between starts and there are several stepping up from exciting maiden hurdle successes that could challenge the even-money favourite.
The one that makes the most appeal is PATH D’OROUX for Gavin Cromwell, who started his life over points, before transitioning to rules with a very taking performance in a bumper at Punchestown at the end of last season. Path D’Oroux’s first start over hurdles could hardly have been more impressive either, travelling strongly and putting away a decent yardstick in Itswhatunitesus, who finished 4th in the Goffs Future Stars bumper last season.
Itswhatunitesus further franked the form of that maiden hurdle by winning next time out and Path D’Oroux looks like he possesses a bit of class and might just be able to upset Champ Kiely with major improvement likely on his second start over hurdles in a race that is most likely going to be raced at a decent clip. He also has a nice-looking pedigree with Blue Bresil (sire of Constitution Hill) acting as his damsire.
1pt win Path D’oroux @10/1, 13:25 Fairyhouse, Sunday
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