14:20 Navan
Saturday 23 September 2017
All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10
Northern Ireland Children's Hospice Irish EBF Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  2m  |  Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places)  |  16 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:22Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 3.9s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has been chasing lately to little effect and hard to envisage winning return to this sphere on recent form.
Not seen since below par effort at Punchestown in April over 2m, must bounce back now but previous form was better.
Third of six last time out over this trip at Roscommon on heavy going, has run with a degree of consistency this term and not ruled out.
Former C&D winner, not at his best on the Flat most recently but return to form now jumping hurdles again isn't ruled out with any certainty.
Career best when winning 10-runner handicap at Gowran over 1m4f latest, has been in rude health both on the Flat and jumping lately and another bold show anticipated.
Smart performer on the Flat and remains a lightly-raced maiden over hurdles, first time in a handicap now, though hasn't exactly been thrown in by the assessor.
Respectable effort last month over a longer trip at Tramore, merits some consideration now dropping in distance again with this trip to suit.
Solid effort earlier in the week at Galway (2m, soft) sporting first-time tongue strap (discarded). Still has scope to improve in this sphere and worth a market check.
Possibly found the 8lb rise and a much stronger contest the reason for the below-par performance last time out at Tipperary. Drop in trip may help.
Yard are now in decent form but has not shown a lot recently and hard to fancy, beaten a long way last time out at Galway Festival on soft ground over this sort of trip.
Has gone a dozen races now without success dating back to 2015, far effort last time at Clonmel 16 days ago and could get involved off current mark if producing anything like best.
Now ten-years-old and owner of just a modest record over jumps, hasn't looked like recording a win off this sort of rating this year and tame last time out on the Flat.
Victorious over fences at Sligo last month, still looks high enough in the ratings over timber (7lb above previous winning mark) but in good heart and may get involved in the finale.
Four runs in maidens over timber not set the world on fire but comes into this opening handicap on a lowly mark as a result and an improved showing isn't discounted, watch betting.
Career-best when winning 2m Kilbeggan contest on soft ground last time, goes up 9lb for the win but had plenty in hand there and can go well again.
Ex-Richard Hannon inmate on the Flat, has run in four maiden hurdles without great success for his yard. Opening mark gives him some hope if improving.
Forecasts
Fiesole (5/2), Kilkeaskins First (7/1), Russian Roulette (7/1), Banjo (7/1), Weightfordave (10/1), Neddyvaughan (11/1), Roachdale House (12/1), Creeping Ivy (16/1), Sea's Aria (16/1), Bakers Street (16/1), Bog War (20/1), Just Call Me (20/1), Soir De Chantenay (20/1), Jacobs Well (20/1), Bag of Diamonds (25/1), Little Stevie (33/1)
KILKEASKINS FIRST came home with any amount up his sleeve last time out at Kilbeggan, producing career-best effort in doing so. He's gone up 9lb for that win but if he turns up in the same mood today, it is by no means certain to stop the follow-up attempt. Fiesole is a live threat having been in excellent form both over these obstacles and on the Flat lately while Roachdale House, Banjo and handicap debutant Creeping Ivy are others worth some scrutiny.
- Kilkeaskins First
- Fiesole
- Banjo
Prize Money
1st: €9,239.002nd: €2,865.003rd: €1,365.004th: €615.005th: €240.00
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