'We're hopeful he'll be competitive' - Balko D'Ange bids to get back to winning ways in competitive handicap hurdle

Balko D'Ange appears to hold solid claims for Philip Fenton in this competitive 2m handicap hurdle, provided he can clean up his jumping after an indifferent round at Naas last month.

He had been holding his form well before that Naas outing, finishing runner-up in a pair of maiden hurdles before landing a lucrative pot at Limerick when taking a Listed handicap hurdle in good style. He then ran into a well-handicapped rival in Duffys Hodey at Punchestown when the step up to 2m3½f on heavy ground seemed to stretch his stamina.

His Naas outing last time was still a decent run, but his jumping largely fell apart in testing conditions, but he still appeals as a progressive sort who still has a couple of pounds up his sleeve, particularly back on less taxing ground.

Addragoole deservedly got off the mark at Clonmel last time, but the form is a bit suspect considering runner-up Yoradreamer has been a beaten favourite since. Addragoole's last run in handicap company was underwhelming as he trailed in 11th at Leopardstown over Christmas when well fancied.

Pat Flynn saddles two and Walnut Beach rates a big player if he can transfer his chase form back to hurdles and can overcome a 114-day absence. 

Clarens scored at this course and roughly this distance in 2021 and has been in good form lately, best illustrated by a gritty victory at Navan on his penultimate start.

He couldn't land a blow off a 7lb higher mark at Leopardstown, however, and might want a bit more give in the ground to be at his best.

Cappucino is a solid one for each-way players as he has been running respectably in better contests than this of late and should enjoy the drying conditions.

Ground and weather

The ground is good to yielding. Selective watering has commenced with the weather set to be dry and breezy.

What they say

Philip Fenton, trainer of Balko D'Ange
His jumping was a bit sloppy last time at Naas but he still ran respectably and is in good order at home. Ground on the softer side of yielding wouldn't be any issue and we're hopeful he'll be competitive.

John Flavin, trainer of Clarens
He's in good form and is a course winner and enjoys going this way round. He has a nice weight, but we'd prefer the ground a bit slower ideally.

Pat Flynn, trainer of Walnut Beach and Duke Otto
Walnut Beach is going back over hurdles and hasn't run for a while so should improve for this outing. The drop back in trip should sharpen him up. Duke Otto ran well on the Flat on his last run, but he's out of the weights here. He should run a nice race and, like Walnut Beach, should come on for it.

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