13:55 Down Royal

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:10

Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle (0-150) (Grade B)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 4m 0.04s

Realt Mor¹⁹³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 132| CD

33/1

Course winner that has won over this trip. Popular veteran who is a credit to his yard but this is a tough ask.

Form: 23P46F-

Golden Spear^t⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: A J Martin| OR: 130| D

8/1

From an astute yard with a significant jockey booking the six-year-old has found time on the tough side since his last win. Looks in need of some relief from the handicapper.

Form: 43P5-26

Housesofparliament³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 133| D

7/2

St Leger third in September of last year the Galileo gelding will be of much interest on his handicap debut. More progress possible here.

Form: 27-13

Charlie Stout^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: S Nolan| OR: 126| C| D

8/1

Course winner that has won over this trip and is three from 14 over hurdles. May find this a tall order still 13lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 311P2-2

Mr Showtime⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 126| D

8/1

Second of 10 when stepped up in trip in Kilbeggan novice hurdle, before a 5L defeat last time out when fourth of 20 in a Galway handicap hurdle in August. Up 1lb for that run and tough ask again.

Form: 2-11214

Top Othe Ra⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Paul Townend| T: T Mullins| OR: 126| D

12/1

Has had a terrifically consistent and solid campaign over the summer winning at Ballinrobe before a win at the Galway festival in August. Heavy ground may have been the reason for lacklustre performance last time out.

Form: 421126

Art Of Security¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 125| D

7/1

Winner at Naas in January but well held in two runs since, although quite highly tried, it is expected the gelding will improve this season. Worth a market check.

Form: 731470-

Veinard^t¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 125

10/1

Has been knocking on the door in a series of competitive handicap hurdles and again shaped well when sixth at Punchestown before disappointing at Wexford over hurdles in May.

Form: 27626-4

Waaheb¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: C Roche| OR: 125| D

20/1

Veteran stage of his career now and well beaten on three starts for new yard since joining from Dermot Weld. Tough ask.

Form: 2/30-796

Crossed My Mind¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: A L T Moore| OR: 116| D

6/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Wexford on St Patrick's Day, well held at Punchestown on handicap bow in April. Will need to improve to figure.

Form: U416-

Out Of The Loop²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: M A Enright| T: C Roche| OR: 118

7/1

Improved sufficiently to take a Downpatrick maiden hurdle in fine style staying on well to win by 5L. Progress expected again.

Form: 5-31

Artful Artist^t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A J Martin| OR: 111| C

16/1

11-race maiden over hurdles but has finished runner-up on his last tow hurdle starts at the Galway festival and a Bellewstown maiden hurdle. Market likely to reveal expectations.

Form: 7/327-22

Verona Opera¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 109| D

33/1

Has had a grand summer jumping campaign culminating in a 5L win over Miss Mash at Carlisle last month. Others preferred.

Form: 231371

Non-Runners

Wakea¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: K Thornton J: Mr J C Barry

Forecasts

Housesofparliament (7/2), Crossed My Mind (6/1), Wakea (6/1), Out Of The Loop (7/1), Art Of Security (7/1), Charlie Stout (8/1), Golden Spear (8/1), Mr Showtime (8/1), Veinard (10/1), Top Othe Ra (12/1), Artful Artist (16/1), Waaheb (20/1), Verona Opera (33/1), Realt Mor (33/1)

Mr Showtime will be possibly allowed the lead here with Wakea and Housesofparliment close behind. The bottom weight Verona Opera could go well at a big price while the mount of Ruby Walsh, Golden Spear is sure to be of interest. A chance is taken with the gallant TOP OTHE RA who has been consistent all season and ticks a lot of boxes here.