Irascible - County Handicap Hurdle

Several of the leading contenders in the Country might not be suited by what could be tacky ground by Friday afternoon but that’s not the case for Irascible whose maiden hurdle success came in similar conditions.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge was in behind Appreciate It thrice last term and given that he wasn’t beaten far in a couple of his Grade 1 outings, he should relish this drop down in class. While the British handicapper hasn’t missed him, shoving him up 5lb higher than his Irish mark, there should be more to come on just his sixth start under Rules.

It’s probably worth putting a line through his reappearance effort at Fairyhouse when making his first start for nearly a year over a new trip. With a return to this distance in his favour, he looks overpriced at 28-1 with Skybet paying eight places.

Langer Dan - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

He might be favourite but there is still some juice in Langer Dan’s price of 9-2. The case for him is fairly obvious after he chased home future Grade 1 winner Galopin Des Champs in this contest last year and the two of them pulled nine lengths clear of the rest of the field.

If you take the winner out of last year’s race, Langer Dan could conceivably be rated a stone higher than what he is now and from just 2lb higher than last year’s mark, Dan Skelton’s runner could be very hard to beat if he returns in the same sort of form.