Grade 3 Irish Independent Hurdle Runner Guide

Farclas

Trainer - Gordon Elliott

Jockey - Keith Donoghue

Grade 1s - 1

This is Gordon Elliott's only runner in this contest and he really is a smart hurdler after coming to life at the Cheltenham last year when landing the Triumph Hurdle and he is the only Grade 1 winner in this field.

Made his return at Fairyhouse in what was a really hot Grade 1 Hatton's Grace hurdle and off the back of that she has to be up there with the pick of the best horses on show from form claims.

Espoir D'Allen

Trainer - Gavin Cromwell

Jockey - Jody McGarvey

Grade 1s - 0

This J P McManus owned horse has a great chance in this contest tomorrow and again has leading form claims off the back of his fortunate win on his seasonal reappearance but when Saldier fell at the last the second would have been a good marker to go off.

Last season he was a smart juvenile hurdler and this race will really show us how good he could be this season with him still holding a lot of potential for Gavin Cromwell.

Saglawy

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey - Denis O'Regan

Grade 1s - 0

This is one of two Willie Mullins chances on Friday and there is not much to pick apart from each other but Saglawy from his last outing he did show he holds a lot of ability after finishing a good third in a handicap off a tough mark of 144.

He will need a career best to land this Grade 3 with a really impressive field of five runners but he can't be ruled out due to his trainers connections.

Masterstonemason

Trainer - F Costello

Jockey - Roger Loughran

Grade 1s - 0

The outsider of the field tomorrow does look like it will be a huge shock if he goes on to win, being one of the most exposed horses in the field and having the least amount of wins.

He has been poor so far this season, even though he started off well with some nice place runs and a win at Gowran park, when he has been stepped up to better company he has struggled and it looks like the same case on Friday.

Stormy Ireland

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey - Paul Townend

Grade 1s - 0

The final horse in this small Grade 3 contest is the second of the Mullins runners who looks to have just edged market favouritism ahead of his stablemate after on his last outing winning a Listed contest at Punchestown against some decent horses.

He will need to step up from that to be involved in this race but of the back of his latest performance and looking at how progressive his pedigree is he can't be ruled out.