17:25 Ballyleague Rated Novice Hurdle

Race preview

Joseph O'Brien's BANBRIDGE has been finishing his races off strongly which bodes well for this step up in trip. He bids for a hat-trick after wide-margin victories in a bumper at Killarney and on hurdling debut at Punchestown. He has to give weight away but looks to be progressive. It isn't going to be an easy task to give 12lb to Buddy Rich who was a cosy winner of an extended two mile three furlong maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in April. He is a more than worthy adversary. Banbridge's stablemate Palm Beach has to bounce back from being pulled up when odds on in Ballinrobe. That is eminently possible as his form before that was very solid. Several winners have come out of the maiden hurdle he won at Kilbeggan in May. The John Ryan pair of The Little Yank and Brooks Falls are also contenders.