Pace

very good question

Solwhit and Punjabi generally race prominently, not front runners though

h/fly

I can find patches of front running, but nothing that is like to take it up, unless under sufferance or instructions.

Why would H Fly want to make it? He's happy to sit of a slow pace, hence the money and likely favouritism. Can't have it at the price.

of-off

Good point- could be messy..

There's not even a stayer in the race who could try n nick it from the front ala Hardy Eustace.

IF this does turn into a sprint, who do you think will win?

That's why everyone is latching onto H Fly imo, due to his flat pedigree.

I'm not so sure HF has the gears that a few of the other horses do imo.

Maybe not, either way couldn't back it with stolen after such a lay off at 3s.

why do you think the other mullins horse is running?

Hurricane Fly has p!ssed up in dawdles previously, so Thousand Stars isn't there to make it for him imo.

the novice hurdle last year wasnt

theres no other reason for it to be there it cant win.

I started looking at this race thinking that it would be one of the best champions in years, I've ended up thinking it's a poor renewal.

Seriously? The Grade C H'cap Hurdle on same day was ran in a time 4 sec quicker.

4:20 - Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
» Full result
2m, €62,000.00
1 Hurricane Fly 4/6F
2 Kempes 12/1
3 Riverside Theatre 14/1
8 ran Distances: 7l, ½l, 1½l
TIME 4m 2.60s (slow by 16.60s)
Jockey: R Walsh
Trainer: W P Mullins
WIN £1.50 PL £1.10, £2.80, £2.70
Ex £8.80
CSF £10.00
After a stewards' inquiry, the placings remained unaltered.

4:55 - Masterchef Hospitality Handicap Hurdle (Grade C)
» Full result
2m, €29,295.00
1 Truckers Delight 16/1
2 The Last Derby 16/1
3 Native Clan 7/2F
4 Imperial Hills 8/1
NR: Penny's Bill (IRE)
22 ran Distances: 6l, 1¼l, hd
TIME 3m 58.70s (slow by 12.70s)
Jockey: C O'Farrell
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon
WIN £17.20 PL £3.60, £3.60, £1.60, £2.30
Ex £332.20
CSF £245.37
TRICAST £1137.34

Get with the times ;)