6:00 Bellewstown Tips

Avondale is returning to hurdling, and Barry Connell could be rewarded with a good run appearing. Avondale was last seen winning on the flat over twelve furlongs at Galway and Roscommon. He has speed and stamina, which can make him a formidable force here with Sean Flanagan achieving success.

Faithful Follower is a 6-year-old gelding trained by Emmet Mullins. He is clearly thought by connections to have plenty of ability. Faithful Follower is 0-7 wins under rules yet has only run once over hurdles and was sent off 10/11f on penultimate start but didn't get the job done, finishing 4/13. Faithful Follower is out of a dam that won a hurdles race at Punchestown at 14-1 on her fourth start and was trained, owned, and bred by Paul Hennessy. Dam was also a half- sister to Heaven Help Us, who won at 33-1 at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021, making all to win by 6 lengths, posting a career-high RPR of 138, and was originally trained, owned, and bred by Paul Hennessy. Faithful Follower is also bred by Paul Hennessy and is probably much better than shown to date as she is just a big baby and should go close today under Donald Meyler.

I have lost track of the number of trainers El Bello has had over the years, but he is currently with Denis Hogan, for whom he had his third and latest win over seven furlongs at Dundalk last year. He could defy top weight because he has won five times on the flat and is making his hurdling debut here. He has an e.w. chance.