13:50 Sligo
Sunday 16 July 2017
All13:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:3517:10
Martin Reilly BMW Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO only | 2m 80y | Good | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 0.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Bumper winner at Down Royal two starts ago (2m, good), and generally ran well on his other starts in that sphere. Switched to obstacles for the first time now and should be on the premises if his jumping is up to scratch.
Much better on his two most recent starts, having made a slow start to his career over hurdles. Beaten only 2L last time and could have been even closer but for some mistakes with his jumping, though any rain would be a big help to his chances.
Ran two races of little account over hurdles before being switched to bumpers last time, still showing no extra. Others hold far more convincing claims.
High Chaparral gelding who ran a couple of solid races on the Flat in Germany. Difficult to tell how that form will translate now though, in the care of a new trainer with head-gear on first time over a much longer trip. Interesting contender, but too many question marks to recommend.
Dual-purpose type who has generally put in his best performances over hurdles on good ground, so will want conditions to remain dry. Not disgraced on the Flat recently and is race fit as a result, and so should go very well in a relatively weak-looking race.
Slightly unlucky not to get off the mark when campaigned on the Flat, and has put in two solid efforts over hurdles so far. Would need to come on a fair bit to seriously challenge, but should in the battle for a place at least.
Yet to get within 15L of a winner either in bumpers or on hurdling debut at Roscommon last time. They were all possibly better races than this one but there was still little source for encouragement in those performances.
Didn't show much in two bumpers, especially in a deeper contest second time out, and it would be a surprise to see him play a big part on his hurdling debut. Hood fitted for the first time.
Canford Cliffs filly who may not bring the worst form from the Flat to this race, but is still faced with a very tough ask for her first appearance in a jumps race. Has an absence since December to overcome as well.
Slightly inconsistent type and certainly one of the more exposed runners in the field, with his better efforts generally coming in softer conditions. Plenty more needed now returning to a likely sounder surface.
Ran a couple of encouraging races to start off her career over hurdles, but her form has since tailed off and a return to one of her better performances, and possibly more, will be what is required here.
Only moderate form on the Flat over a variety of trips, and plenty more will be needed switching to hurdles for the first time in her career.
Forecasts
First Class Ticket (9/4), Tree Of Knowledge (5/2), Mischievious Max (5/1), Father Mattie (11/2), Bracklin Princess (10/1), Loose Ends (16/1), Its Only A Dream (25/1), Escadron (25/1), Ri An Rian (33/1), Diamond Warrior (40/1), Pegi Browne (40/1), Aurellia (50/1)
The penny may finally be dropping for Tree Of Knowledge, who has undoubtedly improved over his past couple of starts, but preference is for FATHER MATTIE. He has been running some fair races on the Flat recently but has also showcased ability over hurdles in the past as well. Around 2m on good ground should prove to be his optimum in time, and so he is taken to get the better of Joseph O'Brien's charge, who may prefer things softer. Having won a bumper, Mischievious Max is one of the only horses in the field to have won any kind of race, and he another worth considering.
- Father Mattie
- Tree of Knowledge
- Mischievious Max
Prize Money
1st: €7,084.002nd: €2,196.003rd: €1,046.004th: €472.005th: €184.00
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