14:35 Naas Oil Maiden Hurdle

Race preview

GAILLARD DU MESNIL starts out over hurdles after a year off. He was busy in his native France as a 3-year-old, contesting no fewer than six bumpers, winning on his third start before being placed in a couple of Graded events on testing ground last autumn. The Saint Des Saints gelding is chosen as Willie Mullins starts to unleash his latest batch of novice hurdlers. It's interesting that Wexford runner-up Homme D'Un Soir, unlike the selection, holds a Royal Bond entry at the end of the month but, for now, this step-up in trip should be to his advantage as he was staying on well close home last time. English Cesarewitch third Takarengo has experience from last season and a decent rating of 120, so he should be capable of getting involved as he goes up in trip as well. The likes of Caesar Rock, point-to-point winner Holymacapony and Valyblue are hurdling debutants to note, but King's Vow will have to jump a lot better than when third on his first attempt over flights at Cork.