13:10 Galway

Monday 30 October 2017

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:35

galwayraces.com Mares Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 2.0s

A Hardy Nailer²²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: R Tyner

22/1

Placed in four similar contests last autumn before a less successful stint over fences culminating in a heavy fall here. Latest maiden hurdle then was below par and off since so questions to ask at present.

Form: 2/576F4-

Ainsi Va La Vie³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| CD

1/2

Presumably took her time to develop having only debuted in July but quickly taken high rank with three wins out of three in bumpers. Tackles obstacles for the first time here and one would expect she will be more than prepared by top trainer.

Form: 111

Awayinthewest⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: P A Fahy| OR: 128| D

9/4

Won last of her four bumpers but unsuccessful thus far in six hurdle contests. Standout performance in Cheltenham festival Grade Two beaten 8½L but looks flattered on rest of form. Probably the main danger to Ainsi Va La Vie.

Form: 134265-

Bluegrass Princess¹⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: E O'Connell| D

20/1

Good form in bumpers where she won two and was placed in a Punchestown Grade Three but yet to convert that to hurdles in two attempts and jumping sketchy on each occasion. Ought to win a race of this nature soon enough if she irons out mistakes.

Form: 71/813-4

Charlotte Wells²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: J Neilan

50/1

Unplaced in five bumpers and while her recent 16½ sixth of 18 on hurdles debut wasn't without promise it is hard to see her involved in what is a pretty warm maiden.

Form: 9-06586

Half The Odds¹⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade

10/1

Bolted up in a maiden point-to-point before winning one of three bumpers in April. Off since and latest effort in a Grade Three left the impression that 2m may be on the sharp side so possible that step up in trip may be needed.

Form: 31217-

Knock Na Rea³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh

100/1

Beaten 40L plus in all three races to date, all hurdles. Beaten 69L on most recent run at 100/1. Impossible to make a case for her.

Form: 0-90

Mysloegin^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J R Finn| CD

16/1

Won a bumper at the sixth time of asking here before running with promise in a Fairyhouse maiden behind smart but ill fated Fayonagh. Would have to step up but has scope for improvement.

Form: 5-34215

Taggle Og²⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: D H Kelly

50/1

Won her lone point-to-point but only two finished and the runner-up is a maiden of 20 starts in all so hard to rate the form highly. Best watched on rules debut.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Ainsi Va La Vie (1/2), Awayinthewest (9/4), Half The Odds (10/1), Mysloegin (16/1), Bluegrass Princess (20/1), A Hardy Nailer (22/1), Charlotte Wells (50/1), Taggle Og (50/1), Knock Na Rea (100/1)

AINSI VA LA VIE could be the next in line from the incredible Willie Mullins production line of top-class and prolific mares. She won all three bumpers and the form of her latest has already been franked by her stablemate and runner-up that day. If she jumps well she will take all the beating and for these connections they usually do. Awayinthewest arguably has the best hurdles form on offer so she should go well and Bluegrass Princess has enough ability to be involved if her jumping stands up.