Can anyone stop Bleu De Vassy in Grade 3 For Auction after Fairyhouse demolition job?

Bleu De Vassy should prove a warm favourite after putting in a smart performance when coming home 25 lengths clear in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, but stiff opposition awaits in an intriguing Grade 3 novice hurdle.

He travelled and jumped with plenty of verve on his hurdles debut and the acceleration he showed after the last to scorch clear was particularly taking. The opposition didn't provide much resistance but the time was decent and he proved he handles this type of ground.

Mywayofthinkin also ran to a good level in bumpers, finishing second at Leopardstown and Navan before getting off the mark on his hurdles debut at Punchestown. The runner-up hasn't advertised the form all that well and the Flemensfirth gelding is coming off a six month break so this is a tough assignment.

Helvic Dream has plenty of experience over hurdles and ran well to finish runner-up to the well-handicapped Kala Conti at Down Royal last time. He has twice shaped well in competitive handicaps recently and the more unexposed types will need to run to a decent level to beat him.

Mr Percy got off the mark over hurdles in good fashion at Limerick last time, albeit the form has taken a few knocks since but he couldn't have done much more and stays this trip well given his exploits on the Flat, while Patter Merchant was impressive on his hurdles debut at Galway when beating another useful type in I Am Lorenzo but is taking a big drop in distance.

In a trappy affair it's worth taking an each-way chance on Milo Lises on his stable debut for David Kelly. He showed a good attitude to land a Punchestown maiden hurdle when with Willie Mullins in February, beating subsequent winner Faulty, and was a very good second behind Predators Gold in the Goffs Defender Bumper on yielding ground last year.

What they say 

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Bleu De Vassy and Patter Merchant
We knew Bleu De Vassy was better than his bumper form. He wasn't fully fit for his return to action at Fairyhouse but won very well. He bounced off the good ground that day. Patter Merchant beat Sounds Victorius when he won his bumper at Leopardstown last Christmas and it didn't look a bad maiden hurdle he won at Galway, so he is well worth a shot at this.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mr Percy
He's in good form, will handle the dryish ground and we're looking forward to getting him more experience over hurdles. It was a good performance at Limerick and obviously this is a big step up in class, but he couldn't do any more than he did last time out.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Mywayofthinkin
He's a grand horse who ran well in two bumpers before getting off the mark over hurdles. This is a step up in class on his first run back so it will be tough, but we'll see how he gets on.

Read Saturday's previews:

'This was always the target' - L'Eau Du Sud looks to back up emphatic chasing debut success in Arkle Trial   

'The plan has always been to target this race' - top trainers have their say on a riveting Paddy Power Gold Cup   

Can Doyen Quest reach even greater heights over a new trip?   

Is Hamsiyann a handicap blot or will he be blown away now that he's back over hurdles?   

'He's in great order' - Bob Olinger back to try to repeat his victory of last year under new pilot Darragh O'Keeffe   

Can Champion Chase hero Captain Guinness make another winning return in the Fortria?   

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