13:50 Clonmel

Thursday 16 November 2017

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

Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 34.50s

Tellthemnuttin^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: W F Codd| OR: 132| D

25/1

Handles cut although arguably better on good ground. 8lb higher today than when scoring at Down Royal over this trip in May. Handicapper has been in control since and looks in need of further assistance from him before she wins again.

Form: 7-11PP6

General Principle²¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 131| D

12/1

Has been racing over fences for past year and won a Grade 3 novices' chase at Limerick (3m, soft) in March. Well held in Irish National on sole start since. Goes well fresh, so break is not a concern and not ruled out from this mark.

Form: F26115-

Kauto Grand Mogol^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 129

8/1

Raced just once since being a 10½L fourth in the 2015 Martin Pipe at Cheltenham from 6lb higher. Put in a reasonable return run last month after such a lay-off and we will know more about whether he retains ability after today. Market check.

Form: 14184/0

Ask Nile⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: S Neville| OR: 126| C| D

6/1

Has been competitive over fences of late, but won here over 2m3f (heavy) in a maiden hurdle in February and reverts to the smaller obstacles on what could to be a good mark. Not ruled out.

Form: 45-1332

Captainofthefleet¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 125| C| D

25/1

The last of his four hurdles wins was in March 2015 from 7lb higher. However, the only time he has looked competitive in his last 10 starts was when 1lb higher than this at Cork in March. Hard to fancy on what we have seen since.

Form: 59420-0

Folsom Blue^t²¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 123| C| D

10/1

Last win came in a Navan handicap chase (3m, heavy) in March from 4lb higher, when with Mouse Morris. First start for this trainer today, who may be looking to exploit his lower hurdles mark, so a market check is suggested to gauge confidence.

Form: 871208-

Waaheb¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: C Roche| OR: 123| D

25/1

Without a win for over two years now and his best efforts were some way back in the past. Has shown a glimmer of hope for supporters on a couple of occasions in recent months, but probably still needs a further drop in the handicap.

Form: 30-7960

Fine Theatre^b¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 120

18/1

Stays well and handles cut in the ground. Latter of his two wins was in a Gowran Park chase (2m4f, heavy) in March 2016. Has raced just four times since and lost his way in the spring. Claims if he can transfer his chasing ability back to hurdles.

Form: P14/38-P

Returntovendor²¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: I J McCarthy| T: J P Fahey| OR: 119| CD

12/1

Was in good form in the spring when winning over C&D (heavy) from 17lb lower and then at Fairyhouse from 6lb lower. Not seen since April, but didn't look like he had done improving just yet. Ran well first time out last year and has claims.

Form: 135131-

Moores Road²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 116| D

33/1

Put together back-to-back wins at the turn of the year over 2m4f and with cut in the ground. 5lb higher today than the more recent of those and reverts to hurdles after being well beaten over fences the last twice we have seen him. Bit to prove.

Form: 119F-06

Tulsa Jack^b¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 115

11/1

Former Cork National winner who stays 3m4f on soft ground over fences. Without a hurdles win since 2014 and was beaten 12L from 1lb lower when last tried over the smaller obstacles at Galway in August, so looks to have plenty on his plate.

Form: 642348

Westerner Point¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: E O'Grady| OR: 114| C| D

9/4

In cracking form in the past year, winning four of his last six, the most recent being over hurdles at Cork (3m, soft/heavy) in March from 9lb lower. Would have a good shout if he could produce his chase abilities over hurdles but not sure he can.

Form: 11411-8

Peace N' Milan²⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins⁽⁵⁾| T: F J Flood| OR: 112| C

12/1

Goes well here with two wins at the track to her name, albeit it at around 2m. Showed she stays 2m4f when scoring at Fairyhouse in February and every chance she will see this out on her first try. Yet to win when fresh but otherwise she has claims.

Form: 706011-

Gold Smoke^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 102| D

10/1

2lb out of the handicap going into this and 9lb higher than when winning at Listowel (3m, heavy) in September. Well held from a lower mark last time and will probably find a few too good.

Form: 213516

Forecasts

Westerner Point (9/4), Ask Nile (6/1), Kauto Grand Mogol (8/1), Folsom Blue (10/1), Gold Smoke (10/1), Tulsa Jack (11/1), General Principle (12/1), Returntovendor (12/1), Peace N' Milan (12/1), Fine Theatre (18/1), Tellthemnuttin (25/1), Waaheb (25/1), Captainofthefleet (25/1), Moores Road (33/1)

A competitive stayers' contest where it might be worth taking a chance on the fitness of PEACE N' MILAN. Francis Flood's mare was going very much the right way when we last saw her in the spring and this extra half mile should be able to unlock a bit more improvement from within. Returntovendor looks like a potential danger despite a 6lb rise for winning at Fairyhouse in April, while a better effort from Folsom Blue on his debut for this stable would be no surprise. Stablemate General Principle may be an even bigger danger to the selection, while Ask Nile, Kauto Grand Mogul and Fine Theatre are others for whom some sort of case can be made.