15:00 Clonmel

Thursday 28 September 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 4.20s

Sweet Home Chicago^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C Bowe| OR: 112

6/1

Won with any amount in hand at Wexford in June (3m) and didn't run far below that form at Clonmel three weeks ago. May face different ground here, though, and drop back in trip not necessarily a positive either.

Form: 29-3617

Successor^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 114

11/2

Showed a good attitude to win at Wexford at the beginning of the month, the tongue-tie (retained here) seemingly helping his finishing effort. Likely to face slower ground here but stays, and looks on the upgrade.

Form: 086-721

Moroval⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 109

9/2

On the plus side, best recent effort came in soft ground over this trip at Killarney in May and a reproduction of that would take him close. Couldn't repeat that effort when last seen but had a short break and may be better for it.

Form: 3273-47

Prince Garyantle^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: A E Lynch| T: M J Smith| OR: 108

10/1

Has been kept busy this summer but recent form has got progressively worse, and he was well held when last seen. Drop back in trip may help but a bit to prove at present, especially if the rain comes.

Form: 1-22460

Brontide⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Ruby Walsh| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 108

14/1

Ran well on handicap debut at Down Royal in June but couldn't repeat the dose a month later at Killarney. Early days yet though, has had a short break and has Ruby Walsh to help, so can't be discounted by any means.

Form: 00-0537

Touch Of Gold^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: M Kennedy| OR: 106

9/1

Bit disappointing on the Flat when last seen (race may have come too quickly) but had earlier run well over this trip at Listowel, and on that, handles plenty of cut and is a likely improver today. Not ruled out.

Form: 261016

Abbazagga^h⁴⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr D L Queally⁽³⁾| T: P Corkery| OR: 96

25/1

Not seen out since early July and had been in the frame on her previous three starts (all on good ground). May have a bit more to offer if handling likely slower ground here and not totally discounted.

Form: 5P0/343-

Ned's Island^b1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 95

20/1

Has become very disappointing and was thrashed out of sight latest. Blinkers given a try today but they need to have a major effect if he's to hold any chance.

Form: 1-36PP0

Sillogue Pio^h²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: S J Gray⁽³⁾| T: G A Kingston| OR: 93| C

11/2

Wasn't doing much in maiden hurdles but a lot better on second handicap start at Down Royal at the beginning of the month, sticking on well and this trip may bring out a bit more improvement. Chances if building on that.

Form: 500-004

Chance It^t1⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: P Corkery| OR: 87| BF

12/1

Couple of reasonable efforts this summer but disappointed again when made favourite at Downpatrick last week. Tongue-tie given a go, which may help, but may find others improving past him today anyway.

Form: 073736

Call His Bluff²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Phillip Enright| T: N P Hennessy| OR: 85

7/1

Sent off big prices recently but no fluke about his recent third over C&D and it may just be he's found his feet now. Needs to show he handles likely slower ground here but must be shortlisted as an improver.

Form: P-00803

Non-Runners

Storm Racer³⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: H De Bromhead J: C D Timmons

Our Rachael²⁰

Weight: 10-1| Age: 5

T: A J Martin J: Donagh Meyler

Rock On Bach²¹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 8

T: Ms Alice Curran J: Danny Mullins

Forecasts

Our Rachael (2/1), Moroval (9/2), Successor (11/2), Sillogue Pio (11/2), Sweet Home Chicago (6/1), Call His Bluff (7/1), Storm Racer (8/1), Touch Of Gold (9/1), Prince Garyantle (10/1), Rock On Bach (10/1), Chance It (12/1), Brontide (14/1), Ned's Island (20/1), Abbazagga (25/1)

If OUR RACHAEL can transfer her improved Flat form back over hurdles then she'll hold an excellent chance here. Her form over hurdles, as it stands, would give her a chance but there's every chance she'll improve on it today and she can make a mockery of this mark. Call His Bluff is another that looks on the upgrade and can prove the main danger. Successor needs to prove himself on the ground but has chances if he can, and along with Abbazagga and Storm Racer, warrant a second look.