ENJOY TEATIME AGAIN

Elliott's popular stayer primed for repeat win

AS we enter the second half of the Festival and move on to the New Course, there are some good things to put your cash on.

Having earned a rating of 94 on the Flat, SIXANDAHALF is the class act in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (1.20) over two miles and a furlong. Gavin Cromwell's lady made a sparkling debut over timber at Fairyhouse in January, when she was never out of third gear yet hosed up by a dozen lengths.

On the New Course, there are only two flights in the last seven furlongs, which will place less emphasis on jumping.

The inaugural running of the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase takes places over two and a half miles. FIREFOX (2.00) was third in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at this meeting, and Gordon Elliott's creature was an excellent third in a Grade One affair at Leopardstown over two miles on the first day of February. This longer trip will suit and I'm sure he is much better than his initial mark of 150.