16:45 Thurles

Thursday 9 March 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Thurles Handicap Hurdle (80-123)

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 6m 30.5s

Plain Talking¹⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 121

14/1

Very consistent hurdler last year, picking up three wins and running credibly in trio of decent races when last over timber in the autumn. Off a break, should have a good chance.

Form: 434050-

Diamond Cauchois³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Bramall| OR: 119

12/1

Ran a very promising race on New Year's Day at Fairyhouse when second of ten over three-miles but has failed to repeat it in two outings since.

Form: 0P842P

Captain Von Trappe^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 116

16/1

Switched to hurdles at Navan last month having been out of form over fences, failed to cut much ice there and best watched for now.

Form: 5F578P-

Raz De Maree⁷²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 114

5/1

Last seen finishing second to Native River in the Welsh National, has been running well over fences and could be thrown in off hurdles mark if transferring that form.

Form: 1722UP

Toubaloo¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Robbie Colgan| T: A Lee| OR: 111

16/1

Had first hurdles outing in almost three years at Gowran Park three weeks ago, didn't look to be posing a major threat when slipped up.

Form: 12/4F-P9

Hollow Tree¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: M Hourigan| OR: 109

7/2

Third run back from a long layoff when good second behind Sutton Manor over three-miles here recently. Fair claims based on that effort.

Form: 4/P3284-

Nerual⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 99

9/2

Ran well over three-miles at Fairyhouse in January on handicap bow, up just 1lb for that effort and should have a say.

Form: 345437-

Rue Hill¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hickey| OR: 98

10/3

Struggles to stay fit, ran best race in a long time when second at Gowran over 2m4f last month, well clear of Hollow Tree in third, and has leading credentials for this contest if stepping forward from that.

Form: 13/0243-

Swift¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: M A Enright| T: J W Nicholson| OR: 86

12/1

Mare won over 2m4f at Navan in January, since been held both outings whilst running well enough. Not getting any favours at current weights but could run well.

Form: 613366

Steak And Spuds²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Mangan| OR: 82

40/1

Goes up in trip for this but has struggled over timber so far, including handicap debut and isn't well suited at these weights.

Form: 940970-

Forecasts

Rue Hill (10/3), Hollow Tree (7/2), Nerual (9/2), Raz De Maree (5/1), Diamond Cauchois (12/1), Swift (12/1), Plain Talking (14/1), Toubaloo (16/1), Captain Von Trappe (16/1), Steak And Spuds (40/1)

HOLLOW TREE looks the one to be on after a promising showing last time at this track, that was a third start back after a significant layoff and so there shouldn't be any worries over a reaction. Rue Hill finished ahead of the selection at Gowran Park on his most recent run but, given his overall profile and that he is clearly tough to train, it would be better to see him backing that effort up before wading in to support. If Raz De Maree is able to replicate recent chase form now tackling these obstacles, he has a major say in this on ratings while Nerual ran well enough on handicap debut to warrant consideration having gone up just the minimum since. Plain Talking ought to find these waters less choppy after some tough races in the autumn and isn't ruled out despite carrying top weight.

Thurles Handicap Hurdle (80-123)

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