14:25 Thurles

Thursday 9 November 2017

All12:5513:2513:5514:2515:0015:3516:10

Ballagh Mares Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 56.5s

Abbey Magic³⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J A Berry| OR: 118| D

25/1

Returns on a high enough mark considering the time away. Must be on the shortlist though given back-to-back wins when last seen in October 2016.

Form: 43/3411-

The Kings Baby³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: M McCabe| OR: 112

9/2

Off the mark at the eighth attempt over hurdles at Tramore last month and her confidence should have been boosted by that success.

Form: 43P5-21

Mary Frances²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M Hassett| OR: 110

16/1

Backed out of it pretty fast in maiden hurdle at Clonmel (2m2f, heavy) last month, finishing 54L behind Kate Appleby Shoes, before winning a Limerick maiden over 2m5f. May have to settle for a place.

Form: 061-

Nicat's Benefit²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R Loughran| T: Miss E Lalor| OR: 109

50/1

Well beaten 49L on handicap debut when making no impression over 2m6f on soft ground, before a 108L defeat last time out in Cork handicap hurdle last month. Tough ask and others preferred.

Form: 3118-00

Open To The World^b⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: C Roche| OR: 107

6/1

Improved effort stepped back to 2m4f at Listowel latest. Up 3lb today and and 5lb higher than when gaining lone win at Killarney but she's lightly raced and probably improving.

Form: 241302

Presenting Mahler¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 107| D

11/2

Landed a quite valuable handicap chase at Galway before finishing last of five in a Listed chase at Wexford. Fourth of 11 beaten 2L on most recent hurdle start. More of the same will put her in the mix here.

Form: 515415

Glendine River⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: Dermot P O'Brien| OR: 106

8/1

Tramore specialist who has failed to look as effective elsewhere. Third of eight beaten 4¼L on latest start at Clonmel last week. Progression possible and not easily dismissed.

Form: 178663

Fintara^b1,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 104

12/1

Has produced a couple of laboured performances on return this season and is now tried in first-time blinkers. Hard to fancy in current form.

Form: 44-4290

Miss Sassie^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 105

11/2

Won a Wexford handicap hurdle (2m, good) last month beating 13 rivals following a fairly disappointing season, fair effort under penalty since at Limerick. One for the shortlist.

Form: 430153

Pat's Pearl^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 97| D

10/1

Solid and consistent over the summer but disappointed at Listowel in a handicap hurdle over 2m4f finishing 12L behind Silver Planeur.

Form: 222149

Lockeen Girl^h¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Paul Townend| T: T Mullins| OR: 95

9/2

Second of 14 beaten 3¾L when last seen over this trip in a Wexford handicap hurdle in July. One for the shortlist back at this distance.

Form: 272924

Kittyhawkkay^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 80

66/1

No signs of ability before a better display at Cork last time when sixth of 12, before disappointing again at Wexford last time out. May find this tough.

Form: 60-0P68

Forecasts

The Kings Baby (9/2), Lockeen Girl (9/2), Miss Sassie (11/2), Presenting Mahler (11/2), Open To The World (6/1), Glendine River (8/1), Pat's Pearl (10/1), Fintara (12/1), Mary Frances (16/1), Abbey Magic (25/1), Nicat's Benefit (50/1), Kittyhawkkay (66/1)

Open To The World and The Kings Baby have been known to lead in the past and could well take up the mantle here with Fintara and Mary Frances prominent. MISS SASSIE can travel sweetly in behind the leaders before attempting to add to her Wexford win in September, while Lockeen Girl, second of 14 beaten 3¾L when last seen over this trip in a Wexford handicap hurdle in July and The Kings Baby can hit the frame.