15:30 Galway

Tuesday 10 October 2017

All14:2515:0015:3016:0016:3517:0517:35

Galway City & Salthill Publicans Charity Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 4m 19.30s

Stormey^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: S J Mahon| OR: 123| D

8/1

Placed in all five starts in the summer winning twice at Bellewstown and Clonmel. Unlucky second latest when trapped on the rail late on. 21lb higher than start of winning run but can't be ruled out in current form.

Form: 0-21132

Draycott Place^t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 122| D

8/1

Over three years since he last won over hurdles and likely he has reverted due to currently high chase handicap rating. 15L sixth at Tipperary latest sees him fall 1lb but recent form leaves something to be desired.

Form: 746-446

St Lawrence Gap¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 119| D

9/2

Three-time winner over hurdles who seems most effective on good ground. Won at Tramore in August before finding life tougher up 9lb last time. Heavy ground against him there but gains no compensation from handicapper.

Form: 616U-17

Theophilus^b¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: D McDonogh| OR: 118

7/1

Almost three years since lone win over hurdles and a third on the flat his only placed effort in 11 starts this year. Falls again in ratings for latest outing when beaten 48L at Gowran. Hard to make a case for him despite top jockey.

Form: 086-570

Ronava⁶⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: R A Cotter| OR: 115| C

14/1

Course and distance winner albeit three years ago. Won last hurdle race in May before three unsuccessful chase starts. 13lb hike in hurdle rating makes life tougher but not totally ruled out.

Form: 4-51587

Soir De Chantenay¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: L P Dempsey| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 118

16/1

Won three of four starts in France but unsuccessful since. Best efforts have come in deep ground akin to what he encountered at Auteuil and Enghien and that may be his thing. Still only four so can improve but not one to rely on currently.

Form: 50420-0

Mr Antolini⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: A E Lynch| T: G J Power| OR: 112

7/1

Handicap steadily falling since maiden win last September. Unplaced since and beaten 34L here latest when 15th of 20. Step back in trip may benefit but jumping at times questionable and not one to rely on.

Form: 7-64940

Mister Hotelier^b²⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 111| D

25/1

Unplaced in five starts for yard (four chases) and not getting any younger. Not won since November 2014 and can't get excited about him here.

Form: 7064P7-

Persistent⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 115

9/4

Only 1lb better off with Stormey who beat him 14L at Bellewstown in July. Ran well in both starts since and won last time to suggest that he is on the upgrade with youth still on his side.

Form: 651821

Fluspar^b²⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: D Howard| OR: 100

16/1

Unsuccessful in 16 hurdle starts to date and not been able to get competitive off this mark last twice. Hard to make a case for him despite low weight.

Form: 641446-

Divin Desir¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Moore| T: I Madden| OR: 97

33/1

Beaten 20L plus in three maiden hurdles (100/1) last twice and sixth his best finishing position in nine starts to date. 2lb out of the handicap here but couldn't fancy at all even at correct weight.

Form: 966

Non-Runners

The Irregular²⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: D Hogan J: D G Hogan

The Major General²²

Weight: 10-6| Age: 4

T: J P O'Brien J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Persistent (9/4), St Lawrence Gap (9/2), The Major General (5/1), Mr Antolini (7/1), Theophilus (7/1), Draycott Place (8/1), Stormey (8/1), Ronava (14/1), The Irregular (14/1), Fluspar (16/1), Soir De Chantenay (16/1), Mister Hotelier (25/1), Divin Desir (33/1)

Despite top-weight STORMEY is fancied again. He is in the form of his life and was unlucky not to gain a third win in four starts last time out. The Irregular is back to a realistic level here and he impressed two starts back, a tongue-tie could be beneficial. JP McManus has three four-year olds in the lineup each with potential but a bit to prove. Of them Persistent looks the most likely after winning last time out and he could easily step forward again.