17:00 Thurles
Thursday 26 October 2017
All14:2014:5515:2516:0016:3017:0017:30
Premier County Handicap Hurdle (80-102)
- 4YO plus  |  2m 6f 216y  |  Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places)  |  18 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:00Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 59.80s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Nothing shown this year either on the Flat or over jumps merits selection here, well held this month at Cork (2m3f, yielding to soft) on return from break.
Two wins from previous four starts over hurdles (2-15 overall) including career-best last time at Listowel over 3m. Up another 7lb now, likely to get involved in the finish.
Just the one win from 17 career starts and gone 11 now since landing 3m handicap hurdle at Cork in May 2016 off a mark of 102. Back up in trip and last month's Navan effort gives him a chance, though pulled up since at Punchestown.
Finally shed the maiden tag at Tramore in a beginners' chase over 2m6f this month, previous run over hurdles was also more than fair and has potential from current mark.
Former C&D winner (March 2016, rated 92) was in outstanding form over fences when last spotted in March, easily defying penalty to win off mark of 117 and claim third win in five runs. Thrown in here if able to run to that level back over timber.
A ten-race maiden over timber but has shown glimpses of promise, including when just over 3L fourth of 17 over a very similar trip around here a fortnight ago. Races off the same mark now.
Winner over 2m4f at Clonmel in September off mark of 89 and ran well enough under penalty at Navan time. Poor in one run since over fences but not ruled out back over these obstacles.
0/9 to date and despite showing some promise in bumpers he has yet to make the transition to hurdles in six attempts, though did post best effort so far at Tramore last time (2m5f, yielding). More needed.
Only win came in a bumper here on soft ground in November 2015 but largely disappointing over hurdles since, including a 23L defeat over 2m at Gowran Park last month on heavy ground.
Beaten 21L over similar trip here a fortnight ago, making it 11 starts over timber without success and 16 all told. Others have stronger claims.
Former C&D winner who won over hurdles in June at Kilbeggan (3m1f, soft) but has been miles below that form in three runs since and is only to be watched as such.
Previous efforts here over 2m and Punchestown (2m4f) have been much more promising for the eight-race maiden but a 246-day absence is much less so. Longer trip looks a good move but market will off best clues as to readiness for return.
17-race maiden including six over hurdles for current yard since joining following a modest Flat career for Richard Hannon. New test of stamina on offer this time and recent Cork effort was a step in the right direction.
Winner over this sort of trip at Down Royal on good ground in early September off mark of 85, has travelled promisingly in both runs since having gone up 6lb but found precious little when matters got serious.
Pulled up in both point-to-points and little promise in four starts over hurdles, again failing to complete over 3m at Tipperary in July when last spotted. Plenty to prove for now and passed over.
C&D winner in November 2015 when rated 82, off the track for more than a year and was out of form chasing when last spotted. Doesn't look well handicap on most recent hurdles efforts and surely will benefit from this run.
Best effort over hurdles came in 2m4f Ballinrobe maiden last month, when 10L second of 10. Step up to 3m since didn't appear to be relished but claims aren't dismissed.
Strike rate of 1-25 over hurdles isn't inspiring, success coming over 2m5f (good to firm) at Tramore in June off mark of 82. Struggled in two recent outings (First Reserve).
Non-Runners
17
Megara14
Weight: 10-11|Â Â Age: 5
T: P J Rothwell  J: Jack Kennedy
NR
20
Pound A Stroke77
Weight: 10-10|Â Â Age: 5
T: E McCarthy  J: Reserve 2
NR
21
Grey Mountain Mist14
Weight: 10-9|Â Â Age: 10
T: E Sheehy  J: Reserve 3
NR
Forecasts
Mick The Jiver (3/1), Conna Cross (7/1), Megara (7/1), Mistheatre (8/1), Gold Smoke (10/1), Perfect Leader (12/1), The Rap Queen (12/1), Rebel Ace (12/1), Grey Mountain Mist (12/1), Carrigready (14/1), State Of Origin (14/1), Presentingoscar (14/1), Queeny (16/1), Meadow Cross (16/1), Not Touch (16/1), Courtin Bb (20/1), Uptake (20/1), Cher Why Not (28/1), Pound A Stroke (33/1), Bomber Jackson (40/1), Candle Island (40/1)
MICK THE JIVER was very progressive early in the year over fences and while he comes here off a break and must therefore prove his fitness, the significantly lower mark over hurdles that he gets to race off ensure that he is greatly feared and could have plenty in hand on these rivals. Megara showed improved form at Clonmel recently when going down by a narrow margin and should build on that for Jack Kennedy while Gold Smoke, Rebel Ace and Not Touch are others in with chances.
- Mick The Jiver
- Megara
- Gold Smoke
Prize Money
1st: €6,775.002nd: €2,101.003rd: €1,002.004th: €450.005th: €176.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
