16:40 Fairyhouse

Tuesday 18 April 2017

All15:0015:3516:1016:4017:1517:5018:2018:50

Glascarn Handicap Hurdle (Grade A)

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 3m 55.7s

Thomas Hobson³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

7/1

Decent effort on seasonal bow at Leopardstown in January in a competitive handicap, struggled in two outings since however. Latest in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and has plenty on here despite getting Walsh's vote.

Form: P-39P01

Modem^p¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 140

25/1

Dual purpose performer hasn't run since the Cesarewitch on the Flat in October, just 3lb higher than when close-up fourth in Galway Hurdle last July and represents yesterday's Grand National-winning trainer/jockey combination.

Form: 43/0449-

Joey Sasa³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 139

8/1

Maiden winner over this trip at Leopardstown in December, had been in decent form prior to flop in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but may have had reasonable excuses there.

Form: 33-1122

Grand Partner³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 133

18/1

Solid credentials having been raised 1lb for runner-up finish behind Sanibel Island at Navan last month over this trip.

Form: 013280-

Joshua Lane^b1⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: E P Harty| OR: 132

12/1

Close second to Grand Partner at Leopardstown in February on most recent run, 1lb better off with that rival now and can run well again.

Form: 553220

Time For Mabel^t1¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: A E Lynch| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 132

33/1

Scored a double over flights last summer, was a bit of sorts at Down Royal in November when last spotted but may find this improving ground more to his liking.

Form: 411040

Ice Cold Soul^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: B J Cooper| T: N Meade| OR: 130

8/1

Just 6lb higher than when winning valuable Leopardstown handicap over this trip in January, needs to be forgiven no-show at Aintree on sole start since but has potential to put that behind him.

Form: 15/5741-

Calino D'Airy⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 128

25/1

Narrow winner of a maiden hurdle at Down Royal in December, outclassed in Grade Two the following month and needs to find something more now making first appearance in a handicap.

Form: 17

My Manekineko^h¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: M A Enright| T: J Nash| OR: 128

20/1

Dual purpose performer is fit from recent AW exploits at Dundalk but, while he's useful over timber, hasn't won in this sphere since 2015 and looks high enough in the ratings currently.

Form: 42642-9

After Rain^h⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: J R Barry| OR: 127

6/1

Behind Ice Cold Soul to the tune of 4¼L over this trip at Leopardstown in January on most recent run, was conceding 3lb then and receives that from same rival now. Should be competitive again.

Form: 093034-

Chambord Du Lys⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127

5/1

Didn't have to improve to win Clonmel maiden when dropped to this trip in February, represents Closutton maestro and is interesting on first handicap start.

Form: 3/2216-

Golden Spear^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 127

6/1

Two wins from six starts this season, was pulled up at Kempton in February on most recent outing but just 1L behind Ice Cold Soul previously at Leopardstown. Weighted to erase that gap now if bouncing back to form.

Form: 61/43P5

St Stephens Green²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: E Mullins| OR: 123

12/1

Plenty to find with some of these rivals on hurdles form, probably a big ask to win this but should be in good heart after recent AW win over this trip at Dundalk.

Form: 4/21F90-

Veinard^t⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 123

8/1

Competent handicapper, was below his best in tough heat at Newbury in February when last out, closely matched with some of these on previous form however so isn't to be discounted too quickly.

Form: 227626-

Non-Runners

Ivan Grozny⁸⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: D J Mullins

Waxies Dargle³⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: N Meade J: B J Geraghty

Forecasts

Chambord Du Lys (5/1), After Rain (6/1), Golden Spear (6/1), Thomas Hobson (7/1), Veinard (8/1), Joey Sasa (8/1), Ice Cold Soul (8/1), St Stephens Green (12/1), Joshua Lane (12/1), Ivan Grozny (12/1), Waxies Dargle (16/1), Grand Partner (18/1), My Manekineko (20/1), Modem (25/1), Calino D'Airy (25/1), Time For Mabel (33/1)

Chambord Du Lys is an interesting handicap debutant for the champion trainer. She's been overlooked by the stable jockey but has an excellent partner nonetheless and is expected to go well. This is going to be a lot tougher than her Clonmel success though, so she'll need to be ready to battle. Quite a few that locked horns in the Coral.ie Hurdle in January square off again and the likes of winner Ice Cold Soul, After Rain, Golden Spear and Veinard are all respected on that form line. The champion jockey clearly feels Thomas Hobson can put his Cheltenham effort behind him but Galway Hurdle third MODEM may continue the wonderful of his trainer and jockey by taking this contest on his return to action.