In-form Glan poised to bag another big handicap for Elliott, McManus and Walsh

Tuesday: 4.50 Punchestown
Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE2

Could JP McManus, Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh be set for another major payday here with classy mare Glan?

It would be quite the big spring festival double if she could land this €50,000 contest just ten days on from her win in the €100,000 RYBO Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

A 7lb rise to 130 from that performance makes life tougher, but she is still at the right end of the weights off 10st 10lb.

Last year's winner Jazzaway had not been seen for 272 days prior to striking here, but recent history offers some encouragement that a short but successful turnaround can be pulled off.

Hearts Are Trumps: down to his lowest rating since November 2018Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Call Me Lyreen, a close second in this 12 months ago, had been seen at Fairyhouse earlier that month, while 2019 winner Pearl Of The West had finished down the field in the Scottish Champion Hurdle 17 days beforehand. True Self won this in 2018, just a week on from falling at the second last in the RYBO Handicap Hurdle.

Hearts Are Trumps shaped encouragingly when seventh to Glan last time and he looks dangerously well handicapped if back to his best.

However, the Mick Halford-trained Ardla demands major respect off a mark of 125, carrying just 10st 5lb.

An unexposed course winner who likes decent ground, he was beaten just two and a half lengths by Martin Pipe winner Banbridge when last seen at Navan in January. Ardla was in receipt of 3lb on that occasion, but Banbridge is now rated 141.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Eskylane, Felix Desjy and Glan
Glan was very good at Fairyhouse and Mark was very good on her. She's a talented mare and should get the strong pace she likes here. Felix Desjy ran in the same race as Glan at Fairyhouse and actually ran better than the form book suggests. We know he is a good horse on his day and hopefully he is on a going day here. Eskylane has a touch of class. He was fifth in that Glan race and should run well despite his weight.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Farout, Tax For Max, Tempo Chapter Two and Hybery
Farout ran too freely last time at Fairyhouse over this trip. Different tactics could see him produce something better. Tax For Max has been a disappointment so far. Daryl Jacob is coming over to ride and we’ll see if he can get a better tune out of him. Tempo Chapter Two didn’t relish the three miles at Fairyhouse. That didn’t work out and we’re back to two miles here. We’re adding cheekpieces this time. Hybery works very well at home but when we bring him to the track he seems to forget what he shows us at home. We're trying him in the tongue-tie and cheekpieces again.

Mick Halford on Ardla: 'We've freshened him up since and his work has been good'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Mick Mulvany, trainer of In From The Cold
It looks a tough race with plenty of unexposed types, but we're hoping for a big run from him. He seems to be in great form and we think he can be competitive from his mark, but a lack of experience in races like this would be a concern.

Des McDonogh, trainer of Hearts Are Trumps
He wasn't beaten too far at Fairyhouse and seems to be in good form since. That was his first start in six months so you'd hope with natural improvement it would bring him forward. He's won around here before and will hopefully be suited by the trip and the ground.

Mick Halford, trainer of Ardla
He hasn't got a lot of handicap experience but has a lovely weight, will like the ground and has won at the course before. I thought he ran well at Navan last time in a race that's worked out well. We've freshened him up since and his work has been good so we're looking forward to running him.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Sit Down Lucy
A fast-run race should suit her over this trip. She's at the right end of the weights, we're claiming off her and she's run well at the track before. We're hoping she can run a big race.

Tuesday's Punchestown previews:

4.15 Punchestown: 'I really wanted to go two miles' - is Sir Gerhard a live Champion Hurdle hope?

5.25 Punchestown: Paul Townend: 'I had to stick with Energumene, he's a Champion Chase winner'

6.35 Punchestown: 'It's all systems go' - De Bromhead hoping Bob Olinger shines over longer trip

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