14:55 Fairyhouse

Saturday 25 February 2017

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

At The Races Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 5m 34.6s

Jeannot De Nonant^p1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: C M Collins⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

25/1

Picked up some valuable prizes in France last year over hurdles but made a fairly tame start for this trainer at Leopardstown recently and looks to have enough on his plate now carrying top weight.

Form: 4P0738-

Carrig Cathal²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 133

5/1

Winner of three from six over timber but, having been brought down at Leopardstown last month, he unseated his rider after a bad error at Thurles since and comes with question marks now.

Form: 4BU324

Sure Reef²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133

8/1

Best part of three years on the sidelines before Punchestown run on New Year's Eve, acquitted himself well enough there and over shorter trip at Navan since. Gets 7lb back and should be competitive.

Form: 11/3540

Thebarrowman³⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Loughran| T: A Keatley| OR: 132

25/1

Point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner first three runs, found it too hot in Punchestown Grade One over three-miles next time out. Off since that run in April, interesting contender if ready to go first time.

Form: 1/11-P85

Marakoush³⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 130

25/1

Won maiden hurdle over this trip in great style at Punchestown in November 2015, outclassed in graded company at Naas twice early last year and having first run since. Market will be interesting off a layoff.

Form: 2146-6

Presenting Percy^t1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: P G Kelly| OR: 130

2/1

Ran with credit in good Punchestown handicap early this month, just over 4L fourth. Runner-up scored in tidy fashion at Thurles on Thursday and he must have claims here off just 1lb higher mark.

Form: 115411

That's A Wrap¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: T Mullins| OR: 128

11/2

Not beaten far in ultra-competitive two-mile handicap at Leopardstown last month, was bidding to complete four-timer there. Goes back up trip and no issues with stamina. Looks destined to have a leading role.

Form: 314-P11

On Impulse⁷⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Ms K Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR: 123

11/1

Off the track for more than two years, old form certainly merits respect but market may be the only guide in terms of what is expected this afternoon.

Form: 14215/9

Shannak¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: A Mullins| OR: 122

5/1

Improved form to take Fairyhouse three-mile handicap hurdle on New Year's Day. Up 6lb for that and loses services of champion jockey but has an able replacement.

Form: 6-35085

Ballybryan^h¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: M A Enright| T: J Nash| OR: 106

25/1

Improved showing over 2m5f around here last month over fences. Jumping errors there again and has failed to complete two most recent hurdles contests.

Form: 9F228-P

Non-Runners

Ah Littleluck⁵⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: T Gibney J: Donagh Meyler

Forecasts

Presenting Percy (2/1), Carrig Cathal (5/1), Shannak (5/1), That's A Wrap (11/2), Sure Reef (8/1), On Impulse (11/1), Ah Littleluck (16/1), Marakoush (25/1), Jeannot De Nonant (25/1), Thebarrowman (25/1), Ballybryan (25/1)

PRESENTING PERCY has looked progressive this season and he lost little caste in his fourth-place finish early this month at Punchestown in a tough three-mile handicap. The runner-up defied a 4lb rise to score in good style on Thursday so, off just 1lb more, he's fancied to grab his third win from six outings over hurdles. That's A Wrap should also have solid claims upped in trip having been foiled in his bid for a four-timer in what was a devilishly tough Leopardstown handicap last month over the minimum trip. Shannak merits respect on his New Year's Day win while the trio of Marakoush, Thebarrowman and On Impulse are all to be watched in the market returning from layoffs of varying lengths given that prior form makes them worthy contenders. Sure Reef has enjoyed two runs back from his own layoff and should be competitive with his mark sliding. 1. Presenting Percy 2. That's A Wrap 3. Sure Reef