12:50 Clonmel

Thursday 16 November 2017

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2515:55

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 11.40s

Imperial Way^t1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien

6/4

Has been running to a very similar level of form in several bumpers and finally got due reward when scoring at Wexford last time out. Handles cut in the ground and will be well prepped for this hurdles debut upped in trip. Competitive.

Form: 24232-1

Informationisking⁶⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: E Bolger

20/1

Won a Towcester bumper in February of last year (2m, soft) when with Alan King, but not seen since. As a full brother to a 3m hurdle winner, this step up in trip ought to be positive and he should be capable of making a good return to action.

Form: 31/

Jennys Grey²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: J Dullea

66/1

Made good improvements to win a Wexford bumper on her third start (2m, good), though so far well below that level of form in a couple of races similar to this. Will need a fair bit of improvement to figure.

Form: 46-108

Back Bar²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| BF

7/1

Nice enough jumping pedigree and cost put up a good rules debut effort when runner-up in a Thurles bumper (2m, soft) in February. Maybe a shade disappointing when sent off favourite next time. Step up in trip is positive. Should give a good account.

Form: P/U23-

Balinaboola Steel¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: G J Power

50/1

Was runner-up in a bumper at Galway and here in a maiden hurdle in recent months, both on less testing ground. Soft ground has to be a concern given his last two starts over hurdles and he has to prove he is as good on it.

Form: 0-28208

Beyond The Law²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: M F Morris

11/4

Best two runs so far have been on heavy ground in a Navan bumper and then in a similar race to this at Gowran Park in September. Slight concern that he hasn't appeared to stay too well when stepped up beyond 2m so far.

Form: 5/120-20

Chris's Dream²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: E M O'Sullivan

50/1

33-1 but ran but than his SP suggested he might when competitive for much of the way in a Thurles bumper last month. As a half-brother to smart hurdler Scorpiancer, he could improve over obstacles and also stepped up in trip, so may do better today.

Form: 010-6

Highandmighty^t1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: S Byrne

100/1

Apart from his Thurles bumper run last month when he showed a little more, he has looked no great shakes so far. As a dual point-to-point winner, there is scope for improvement, however, now stepped up in trip and jumping hurdles.

Form: 5/115-58

Lough Navar⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: M A Enright| T: E M O'Sullivan

100/1

Is making steady improvements and his best effort yet came last time out when making his hurdles debut at Listowel (2m4f, heavy), when he finished a 23L fourth. Has a bit to build on now and less testing conditions may also help.

Form: P-064

Mount Hanover¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead

7/1

Point-to-point second who was started over 2m (heavy) on his hurdles debut at Wexford last month, making the frame. Looked very much in need of this extra half mile or so that day and no surprise to see him go very close this time.

Form: 2-3

Timmie Roe²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: E O'Grady

40/1

Debut point-to-point scorer who ran well for a long way on debut under rules in a Cork bumper (2m3f, good) when last seen in April. Decent National Hunt pedigree and should so better with something to jump, though may be one to watch this time.

Form: 155-

About You¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Kevin Sexton| T: M Hourigan

50/1

Point-to-point winner who has been sent off at 33-1 or bigger in all four bumpers and not been competitive. Half-sister to a 2m3f-3m4f chase winner, so may improve for jumping hurdles, but on what we have seen she will have to wait for another day.

Form: 2-91575

Manger Et Trotter²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger

7/1

Improved for his debut over hurdles when returning after a summer break at Thurles (2m, yielding) last month. Step up in trip and that additional experience should help here and another step in the right direction is anticipated.

Form: 4-85

Ochto Milano⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G J Power

100/1

Well beaten in both starts in maiden hurdles at Galway and here so far. Extra distance looks a good move this time around, but has a mountain to climb on all known form and is probably one to consider more when handicapping.

Form: 00

Non-Runners

Wendals Girl¹⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: A Mullins J: C M Walsh

Forecasts

Imperial Way (6/4), Beyond The Law (11/4), Manger Et Trotter (7/1), Mount Hanover (7/1), Back Bar (7/1), Informationisking (20/1), Timmie Roe (40/1), Chris's Dream (50/1), Balinaboola Steel (50/1), About You (50/1), Wendals Girl (50/1), Jennys Grey (66/1), Highandmighty (100/1), Ochto Milano (100/1), Lough Navar (100/1)

Several runners look capable of being competitive here and preference is for MOUNT HANOVER, who did well over an inadequate trip last time, is unexposed and should appreciate this longer trip. Back Bar was a little disappointing last time but that is not to say that he can't get back on track here, while Imperial Way and Informationisking are another pair who are likely to be in the mix.