17:15 Bellewstown

Thursday 31 August 2017

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Byrne Marquees Handicap Hurdle (80-102)

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 3m 59.4s

Ard Na Carraig³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 102

7/1

Beaten but not disgraced in two maiden hurdles at Roscommon and Ballinrobe recently. Possibly best watched but capable claimer booked.

Form: 1732-35

Broughtons Star^h⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 102

6/1

Sure to be well supported following two solid runs at Sligo, winning the latter of the two, beating 11 rivals. Only raised 3lb for the win and represented by top trainer/jockey combination.

Form: F32421

He's Our Man^t³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: A McCann| OR: 102| D

12/1

Veteran still on a high enough mark following a heavy defeat last time out at the Galway Festival, but 14lb below last winning mark and appears to be regressing.

Form: P3S/7-60

Mountain Kingdom^b1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 102

14/1

Back on last winning mark, but the talented son of Montjeu, seem to have a mind of his own at the moment and he's not one to trust in first-time blinkers.

Form: 62-35R5

Summer Storm^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Brian Hayes| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 101| D

20/1

Disappointing chasing of late, but 2-20 over hurdles. Last seen hurdling in December when fifth of 20 at Down Royal. May struggle still 6lb higher than last win.

Form: F565-3P

Icelip⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 98

12/1

Going, distance and size of field all positives here for gelding who is still 5lb higher than last win. Not disgraced in defeat twice since but may be still in the grips of the handicapper.

Form: 3561-55

Mezajy^b²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 97

14/1

Distance winner who also has solid figures over distance, but has struggled in big fields in the past. Won a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle two starts ago before disappointing at the Galway Festival.

Form: 539210

Persian Wind^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 95| D

7/1

Distance winner, who has placed at the course and in a field of this size. Ran well last time out at Downpatrick, but is 4lb higher than last win.

Form: 17056-2

Youngnedofthehill^h,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R Loughran| T: S Nolan| OR: 95| D

6/1

Beat Alterno last time out at Ballinrobe, the runner-up has gone on to win at Downpatrick. It was the geldings first win in ten starts over hurdles and may struggle off his revised mark.

Form: 469-001

Silent Sun^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J S McGarvey| T: J Dullea| OR: 94

6/1

Won a Limerick handicap hurdle over 2m last month and struggled last time out off an 8lb higher mark. Has gone well in big fields in the past, including his win two starts back.

Form: P6-8215

Whenthewindblows^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: S J Mahon| OR: 94

7/1

Fourth of 19 last time out at the Galway Festival in a maiden hurdle over the extended 2m. Has run well, without winning over the summer and the handicapper has pulled no punches in raising him 9lb from his initial mark.

Form: 80-3324

Musical Ava²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: M P Burke⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Burke| OR: 85

33/1

Has found every race difficult so far, being well beaten in each start. Seemingly up against it but hinted at improvement at the Galway Festival last time.

Form: 8B085

Blondes No More²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: M A Enright| T: N Lee| OR: 89

20/1

Well beaten in all four hurdle starts in three maiden and on handicap debut beaten over 17L at Cork. Best passed over.

Form: 0068

Aurellia⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: John J Fitzpatrick⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 88

25/1

Has laboured on the ground, over the distance and in fields of this size. Well beaten on last three hurdle starts.

Form: 006

Pretty Little Liar²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: R T Dunne| T: D P Dunne| OR: 85

12/1

Ran well here last month over 2m4f on good ground when fifth of 16, but is not trustworthy looking at her other performances.

Form: 500-057

Oromo^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Robbie Colgan| T: K Thornton| OR: 83

25/1

First Reserve: Well beaten and no impression in five hurdle starts this season and is easily dismissed.

Form: 0-06000

Non-Runners

Daisy Chicks¹³

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: E O'Grady J: A E Lynch

Baron Von Chill²⁴

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: P J Rothwell J: Reserve 2

Hugh Divots⁶

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: A Mullins J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Youngnedofthehill (6/1), Silent Sun (6/1), Broughtons Star (6/1), Whenthewindblows (7/1), Ard Na Carraig (7/1), Persian Wind (7/1), He's Our Man (12/1), Icelip (12/1), Pretty Little Liar (12/1), Hugh Divots (12/1), Mezajy (14/1), Mountain Kingdom (14/1), Summer Storm (20/1), Blondes No More (20/1), Aurellia (25/1), Oromo (25/1), Musical Ava (33/1), Daisy Chicks (33/1), Baron Von Chill (33/1)

Another race where there could be a battle for the lead between Mezajy and Whenthewindblows. Iceslip and Persian Wind and are all on the shortlist, but MOUNTAIN KING may prove the one to beat in a competitive contest.