15:10 Navan

Sunday 19 March 2017

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Kilberry Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 4m 27.70s

Grand Partner¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 132

5/1

In good form around Leopardstown of late, following up last month's 2m win with another positive showing over C&D early this month. Raised 2lb for finishing third then, but this race potentially not as tough.

Form: 013280-

Sound Money^b³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 124

16/1

Just the one success from seven starts over hurdles, coming in a maiden at Killarney last May. Recent runs suggest the handicapper is in firm control but mark is sliding all the while.

Form: 6-4124

Bitview Colin^b1,t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 119

10/1

Tailed off on return from a break at Thurles last month over 2m4f last month, drops in trip here and did similar Cork contest in August (good) off 3lb lower mark.

Form: 3700-94

Sanibel Island²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 119

4/1

Won a maiden at Wexford in October and while out of sorts since, ran fair race at Naas three weeks ago. Entitled to get closer to runner up Lilshane on these terms.

Form: 644165-

Lilshane²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: T P O'Connor| OR: 116

7/2

Won this contest 12 months ago off 109, ran best race since at Naas recently when denied on the line (Sanibel Island fourth), suggesting he'll be ready to give this another big effort.

Form: 2282P0-

Admiral Brian^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 113

11/2

Twice a winner last year, took a fall at Tipperary in May and has struggled in two runs since, coming either side of Christmas after a break. Not ruled out but something to prove just now.

Form: F85423-

Concordin²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 112

4/1

Scored at Leopardstown in December over 2m2f, found new mark a bit much over longer trip at Gowran Park last month in follow up attempt. Same mark now though much shorter trip in prospect.

Form: 1/FP41-3

Bashful Beauty⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 104

20/1

Poor strike rate over timber, just one win from 26. Well held on three most recent outings and may be in need of some relief from the handicapper.

Form: 00747-3

Cardhu⁷²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: S J Gray⁽³⁾| T: R Tyner| OR: 103

25/1

Been off the track for two years, went close at Navan over 2m on handicap debut when last seen but will do well do defy a 3lb hike off the back of such a lengthy layoff.

Form: 77002/

Non-Runners

Benkei¹¹³

Weight: 10-3| Age: 7

T: H Rogers J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Lilshane (7/2), Sanibel Island (4/1), Concordin (4/1), Grand Partner (5/1), Admiral Brian (11/2), Bitview Colin (10/1), Benkei (12/1), Sound Money (16/1), Bashful Beauty (20/1), Cardhu (25/1)

Last year's winner Lilshane is respected having run a very good race last time out but his overall form since winning this race 12 months ago makes him something of a risky proposition. Cardhu must defy a long absence and so it is hard to envisage he'll resume ready to defy a career-high mark now. GRAND PARTNER has been in excellent fettle around Leopardstown of late and, despite a ratings hike for finishing third last time out, he has a decent chance to get back to winning ways in what looks a weaker contest on paper. Concordin is greatly respected now returned to the sort of trip he won at in December.

Kilberry Handicap Hurdle

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