Grade One Nathaniel Lacy Novice Hurdle Guide 2023

Jockey and trainer won this race last year with Minella Cocooner and Willie Mullins sends two for this year's renewal of the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy Novice Hurdle.

Grangeclare West has only been seen three times and was very underwhelming last time out as he finished fifth of eight in the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle.

Ground conditions could not be an excuse as he previously won on heavy and just did not find anything when needed.

He will have to bounce back here and stepping up in trip may enable him to do so. Saying that there are a few others in the lineup who make stronger claims, but he is respected nonetheless.

Holds entries in this year's Ballymore and Albert Bartlett.

Good Land will likely go off as the favourite for this after what he achieved last time out at this course. This 7-year-old son of Blue Bresil won a maiden hurdle over 2m4f beating the Henry De Bromhead trained Tag Man by 8 lengths.

Prior to that win, he unseated his rider at the first hurdle at Fairyhouse which was very unfortunate so a line can be drawn through that run.

His maiden hurdle form looks really strong as the horse that finished fourth in the race he won went on to bolt up by 35 lengths next time out.

Trainer Barry Connell looks to have a talented horse on his hands and he could well make further progress in this contest. Could be the one they all have to beat.

Trainer Gordon Elliot sends three to take part in this and Cool Survivor looks to be his less 'fancied' of runners if you were to look at the market.

He has won two of three career starts over hurdles and made it 2/2 last year when winning a Listed Novice Hurdle over 3 miles at Cork.

That was not just his first attempt over the longer trip as he was seen again over 3m next time out where he was no match for the winner that day. He finished 8 lengths behind Hiddenvalley Lake and looks to be in deeper waters here.

Best to focus on the trainers other runners, Absolute Notions, and especially American Mike.

Conditions look pretty much perfect for American Mike this weekend as he appreciates the softer ground. He finished behind this year's Supreme favourite Facile Vega in two Grade 1 Bumpers last season before winning on his hurdling debut at Down Royal.

He won comfortably as he stayed on really well, but did not back that performance up last time out where he got turned over as the odds-on 2/7 favourite when stepping up to Grade 3 company.

Was well beaten by Dawn Rising who went on to finish third in the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle. Gordon Elliot's 6-year-old represents some good-looking value here and cannot be dismissed.

Quais De Paris rates a very interesting runner for Willie Mullins as he has only had the one start so far on Irish soil. He went off at a very short price that day and won well, but this is a massive step up.

Connections must think a lot of this horse as they send him straight into this Grade 1 contest. Mullins loves a French recruit so it is very early days with this horse, but he could be anything.

Would be no surprise to see the 5-year-old go well and be in the mix at the very least here so has to be respected for a trainer who has two in this.

Sandor Clegane could enhance his Albert Bartlett chances if he was to go and win this race which would see his ante-post price for the big race at Cheltenham dip.

He finished second on hurdling bow over 2 miles at Galway before winning on his second start over the smaller obstacles when he stepped up in trip 67 days ago at Punchestown.

The form does not look too bad at all as a couple of horses who finished behind him on those two starts went on to win next time out.

Trainer Paul Nolan deserves some luck in big races and he could get a winner here.

Respect has to be shown to trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies as he sends over Weveallbeencaught for one of the many big races across the weekend at the Dublin Racing Festival.

British raiders will be thin on the ground, but this horse can certainly run a big race here on Irish soil. He is a big individual who looks set for his perfect trip of 2m6f and he ran well when third to Hermes Allen on his hurdling bow at Cheltenham.

Last time out saw him get the better of Rock My Way at the same track on New Year’s Day, but that form was given a timely boost last weekend.

Henry De Bromhead runs one here with Deep Cave, but this looks to be a tough assignment that he has to face this weekend.

He was second to a rival he faces again here in Absolute Notions on his hurdling debut and can reverse that form if backing up what he did last time out.

Gradually steps up in trip again to 2m6f as he won when last seen at this course over 2m4f. The form has no substance to it, therefore it is hard to make a case for him in this sort of race.

One that can show more progress, but is unlikely to threaten rivals on this occasion.

He has shaped like a promising stayer in the making so far and was victorious when winning a valuable Punchestown bumper and stayed on well to win a maiden hurdle on seasonal return in November at the same course.

Was beaten roughly 5 lengths when stepped up in class at Naas last month, but American Mike looks to be the yard's first-string for this race.

Stepping up to 2m6f will surely suit, but doubts will be if he is good enough to beat a few in here who make more appeal.