15:10 Down Royal
Friday 17 March 2017
All13:5014:3015:1015:5016:3017:0517:35
Daily Mirror Handicap Hurdle (80-109)
- 4YO plus  |  2m 6f  |  Yielding to Soft  |  14 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 47.9s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Two from four in handicap hurdles this year, just clinging on last time at Clonmel over three-miles. Drops in trip now and needs career-best effort to win.
Was in the process of running a decent race at Naas in November before falling two out, pulled up on return at Gowran last month.
Won a maiden hurdle at Perth last summer (2m4f, soft) when causing 100/1 shock. Out of sorts in two subsequent run but one to note now on handicap debut.
Three years since he last won, excellent effort at Fairyhouse in two-mile handicap in December on testing ground. Disappointed in two runs since but not ruled out with another 2lb back.
Two solid efforts over fences at Leopardstown since the turn of the year, gives him a decent chance off lower hurdles mark if able to transfer form over.
Posted a strong effort at Musselburgh over three-miles this month in a handicap, finishing second. Every chance of going one better off this mark if building on that effort.
Good third of ten in handicap hurdle at Thurles over this sort of trip last week, raised 1lb for his trouble but should be right on the premises once more.
Fourth of 18 in Cork maiden hurdle over three-miles in January, disappointing since on handicap debut same trip at Clonmel early this month. Just 1lb lower, has something to prove.
Mare was well below best over similar trip at Navan last month in a similar contest, returning blinkers will need to provide major revamp.
Won at Fairyhouse in November over 2m4f, since been running consistently though most recent outing, at this venue, was very flat. Has won around here before so has a chance if bouncing back.
Decent Perth bumper winner has plenty to prove based on four runs in maiden hurdles and last month's handicap bow at Fairyhouse.
Has been off the track for ten months but went very close at this meeting a year ago over three-miles off this mark. Can go well if fit enough.
Bumper runner-up at Kilbeggan in August, hasn't set the world on fire in three outings in maiden hurdles and appears best watched on handicap debut.
Very few positive signs in three runs over flights to date, goes up significantly in trip now for handicap debut.
Forecasts
Returntovendor (3/1), Nerual (9/2), Bearly Legal (13/2), Tyrrell's Succes (7/1), Theo (9/1), Optimised (10/1), Areema (10/1), Another Challenge (12/1), Time And Times (12/1), St Maxime (20/1), State Of Origin (20/1), Augher Castle (20/1), Drummullagh Rocky (25/1), Qery (25/1)
Returntovendor has been thriving of late but another hike in the ratings for his Clonmel success over a longer trip last time might be enough to anchor him. Bearly Legal would hold strong claims if replicating his chase form now switched to hurdles but that is not a certainty to occur. The vote goes to AREEMA off the back of his good second at Musselburgh recently over three-miles. If building on that effort, this contest should be within his compass dropping slightly in trip. Nerual should go well while Augher Castle is worth a look in the market having gone close at this meeting a year ago and former course winner Theo would have claims if putting his latest sub-par effort behind him.
- Areema
- Returntovendor
- Theo
Prize Money
1st: €7,392.002nd: €2,292.003rd: €1,092.004th: €493.005th: €192.00
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