13:50 Navan
Saturday 23 September 2017
All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10
At The Races Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  2m  |  Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places)  |  30 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:51Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 6.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Useful winner on the Flat, returns from a year off ready to making jumping bow on first run since leaving Mick Halford. Watch betting.
Sent off 100/1 on hurdles bow at Bellewstown recently over slightly longer journey, unable to pose any sort of threat there and makes little appeal this time.
Nothing of any note in three bumpers and no improvement on hurdling debut at Sligo in July. Best left to his own devices for now.
Last seen running a promising race on the Flat over 1m4f two years ago, has plenty to prove going jumping for the first time having left Dermot Weld in the interim. Market may guide.
Ex-Hughie Morrison inmate was a decent winner on the Flat in Britain and could have something to say going jumping for new connections.
Big prices all five starts and well beaten all occasions. Can't be considered a likely winner here despite addition on tongue tie.
Made little impression in three runs over hurdles thus far, going off big prices each time. Not seen since the turn of the year and makes little appeal now.
Maiden on the Flat, last seen struggling over 1m2f at this venue three weeks ago. Since switched yards ahead of this first jumps start.
Scored a couple of wins around Dundalk on the AW and fairly useful on the Flat, looked held when falling at the last on jumps debut at Musselburgh in January and off since. Market check advised.
Beat only two of 11 rivals home in novice hurdle at Ballinrobe recently on good to soft over this sort of trip, went off 33/1 and similar aspirations likely now.
Fair winner on the Flat but hasn't look as adept in three outings jumping these obstacles. Plenty more needed now changing codes again.
Just the two runs behind him, didn't pull up any trees on first start since pulled up over 2m4f at Bellewstown. Plenty more required.
Returns from more than 400 days off for this first test of jumping, bumper form leaves plenty to find, best watched unless market speaks in favour.
Bumper winner at Stratford on debut in July over 2m½f, makes hurdles debut having run fair races in two further bumpers and could be worth noting.
Beaten a combined 99L in pair of 2m hurdles contests at Kilbeggan already, has to improve dramatically to stand a chance and may be one for handicaps in time.
Shirocco gelding makes racecourse bow in this, is a half-brother to six winners, including bumper winner Up The Bees and hurdler Nero West. Merits a second look.
Shown some promise in three bumpers runs, could be capable of more no jumping hurdles, one to note in the market for top trainer.
Close second behind Ex Patriot in Fairyhouse maiden hurdle (2m, good to soft) in January and not disgraced next time in Grade 3 juvenile event at same track. Off 210 days but sets the standard in this field.
Fair performer on the Flat and couple of good effort from three outings over hurdles late last year, perhaps nut suited by heavy ground on final run at Cork in December. One to keep in mind on return to jumping.
Champs Elysees gelding is a half-brother to five winners on Flat, interesting debutant in this sphere.
Killarney bumper winner in July and runner-up back there last month under the penalty, first attempt over timber and deserves place on shortlist.
Shown some promise on the Flat, well held in Punchestown bumper 124 days ago and off since, makes hurdles bow in this.
Fair winner on the Flat, had just one start in that sphere for this yard and could be a lively recruit to this game, market check warranted and any money down noted.
Heavy defeats in both maiden hurdles so far, latest at Listowel 10 days ago in heavy ground over 2m, plenty more needed here.
Beaten wide margins in 2m maiden hurdles at Down Royal, coming three months apart, hard to build a case on what has been shown so far.
Finished tenth of 12 in bumper here in March, failing to improve from poor first showing, returns to action with hurdles now in the path and hard to be confident in chances.
Never a factor on debut over 2m at Wexford this month, needs to take a sizeable leap forward to play any significant role in this.
Sent off 100/1 and hooded for first time in a novice hurdle at Bellewstown over 2m recently, failed to have any major say in the outcome and easily bypassed for now.
Half-sister to winning hurdlers Ros Brin and Cheap As Chips. Both mares came into their own when handicapping and that is where her future probably lies.
Fair Flat winner with plenty stamina on his side, yet to make a mark in two starts over flights however and has plenty work to do in this sphere.
Non-Runners
31
Swedish Connection40
Weight: 11-1|Â Â Age: 4
T: M J Smith  J: Reserve 1
NR
32
Melly And Me
Weight: 11-8|Â Â Age: 4
T: P Downey  J: Reserve 2
NR
Forecasts
Mengli Khan (6/5), Edelpour (7/2), Santiago de Cuba (7/2), Niven (16/1), Asbury Boss (18/1), Boris Grishenko (20/1), Soleglad (20/1), The Mouse Doctor (20/1), Fern Owl (33/1), Banksoftheshannon (33/1), Share The Honour (50/1), Swedish Connection (50/1), Melly And Me (50/1), Repare Mon (66/1), Mistiness (66/1), In Our Blood (66/1), Lusis Naturea (66/1), Hip Hop Dancer (66/1), Onthewayback (66/1), Doo Wakka Doo (66/1), Glamorous Nellie (66/1), Piranto (66/1), Askance (66/1), Grallagh (66/1), Mickey Shea (100/1), Urbanist (100/1), Golden Jewel (100/1), Gertoni (100/1), The Lady Of Brega (100/1), Mustmeetforapint (100/1), Miss Echrad (100/1), Paris Boulevard (100/1)
A mass field in prospect but, in truth, very few of these can be given a realistic chance on form. The returning MENGLI KHAN appears to boast the soundest credentials on a solid maiden effort behind Ex Patriot and fair effort in graded novice company at Fairyhouse last season. With more progress to come, Gordon Elliott's charge could be up to this. Santiago de Cuba goes jumping for the first time and have won and then finished second in a pair of Killarney bumpers, he merits plenty consideration. Boris Grishenko is a potential improver while the long-absent Edelpour is a fascinating contender on old form.
- Mengli Khan
- Santiago de Cuba
- Boris Grishenko
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: €8,316.002nd: €2,579.003rd: €1,228.004th: €553.005th: €216.00
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