16:30 Naas
Saturday 11 February 2017
All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00
Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-109)
- 4YO plus | 2m | Soft | 15 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 14.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Doesn't win many and despite dropping in to this class he's very hard to fancy on recent form.
Handicap debut and showed enough in C&D maiden hurdle last month to suggest he is one for the shortlist.
Out of form recently, did win off a higher mark over hurdles at Kilbeggan last summer, coming clear in decent style against her own sex.
Gelding went close over fences at Tramore in December, since been pulled up at Limerick and may find two-miles a bit sharp now switching to hurdles.
Has won over flights but disappointed at Gowran Park when last seen over jumps and that was 833 days ago, hasn't run anywhere since July 2015 and facing a tough ask to be competitive on return.
Another that attempts to defy long absence, won a 2m3f handicap hurdle at Limerick in May 2014 and not sighted since. First start for this yard, will need a fine training performance to have him ripe.
Ran a fair race over this trip at Gowran Park on handicap hurdle debut a fortnight ago, coming home fifth of 20, can do better.
Closely matched with Dylrow on recent running at Gowran Park, entitled to get much closer if repeating previous Punchestown effort.
Sound enough run behind smart prospect when remote fifth in maiden hurdle latest, shouldn't meet anything of Bon Papa's potential here and could be competitive on handicap bow.
Held on handicap debut at Navan last month, drops 1lb and goes down in trip for this. Needs a bit more than has been seen previously.
Got off the mark second time of asking in handicap company at Limerick in December, travelling stylishly to win over 2m3f. Drops in trip and while form of that win isn't especially strong, he won well at the line and could improve.
First run since September, return to this trip will help having run well at Navan on penultimate start. That was handicap debut and struggled when turned out quickly over longer trip at Gowran Park.
Runner-up in Wexford bumper in March, since toiled in there maiden hurdle starts and that included over this C&D last month.
Mare ran a sound race over C&D a month ago off this mark, but wouldn't be especially reliable in terms of building on that effort.
First start for this trainer when attempting raid at Ayr last month, effort quickly faded on the occasion, interesting to see if money comes off reduced Irish rating.
Forecasts
Dylrow (7/2), The Ballyboys (11/2), Cahirconree (7/1), Killahara Castle (8/1), Tethra (10/1), Get Up And Go (10/1), Youngnedofthehill (11/1), There Was A Time (12/1), Hold Onto Your Hat (14/1), Fridaynightlights (14/1), Station Closed (14/1), Hareth (20/1), Asitsohappens (22/1), Bay Hill (25/1), Fu's Island (50/1)
The Ballyboys travelled stylishly at Limerick last time and won his race well to open his account. The drop in trip isn’t a big concern but off a higher mark and against some potentially decent opponents, he might struggle to follow up. Killahara Castle ran well over this C&D last month and while she has potential, there's no certainty she'll build on that run. Station Closed is respected on his second start for Gordon Elliott but ran poorly at Ayr last month. THEREWASATIME has shaped well in maiden company and can grab this on handicap debut with fitness on his side from recent spin at Gowran Park. Get Up And Go is another respected in first handicap start having shown enough in maidens to suggest he'll be winning races. Hareth and Bay Hill are returning from long absences but would be contenders on their old form.
1. There Was A Time
2. The Ballyboys
3. Get Up And Go
Prize Money
1st: €8,932.002nd: €2,769.003rd: €1,320.004th: €594.005th: €232.00
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