14:50 Limerick

Friday 1 December 2017

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:5015:2515:55

Britain V Ireland (Q.R.) Challenge Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 50.80s

Paper Lantern^p1,t⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas⁽⁷⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 109| C| D

9/2

Enjoyed a good spell over fences but looks exposed off his current chase mark. Sensible option to go back over hurdles but his latest efforts have left a bit to be desired, and he has a bit to prove debuting in a handicap hurdle under top weight.

Form: 1311-5P

Dromore Lad³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss S Larkin⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 97

2/1

Unexposed and has made an immediate impact since being switched to handicap company. Won well at Fairyhouse in October and far from disgraced in defeat under 7lb extra last time out. Up in the weights again here but respected as a leading player.

Form: 700-12

Danse Away³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr J J O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: T J Nagle-Jr| OR: 94

8/1

Form taken a nosedive since leaving the point-to-point scene and comes here facing a stiff test on recent evidence. Others more appealing.

Form: 24-4789

Russian Regent²⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr E P O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 94

7/1

Yard still firing in the winners with regularity but this fellow is getting a bit long in the tooth be expected to keep pulling out the stops and there has to be a suspicion that at least one of his younger rivals has a bit more to offer.

Form: 56-5370

Ali Bin Nayef^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr J King⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 89

3/1

Stayed on to win in a very pleasing manner at Fairyhouse last month - delivering on the promise he'd shown on several occasions recently. He has more to do from 7lb higher and needs to prove it wasn't just a one-off performance, though.

Form: 200791

Analyse That^p¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Aherne| OR: 82

20/1

Been a long time (2011) since he tasted success and looks opposable given that his form has been regressive this season. On a lenient mark but a very risky option when the full picture is considered.

Form: 07P85P

Willow Grange^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 82

12/1

0-18 over hurdles and disconcerting that he was pulled up in a modest event at Hexham last time out. Also possible that he's better chaser but his record in that sphere isn't that convincing either.

Form: 07803P

Hawk Eye Down^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss B Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: Paul Power| OR: 81

8/1

Back with a new yard after winning a point-to-point last month. However, his previous hurdles form is nothing out of the ordinary and he still has a good bit to find.

Form: 60/F2-31

Forecasts

Dromore Lad (2/1), Ali Bin Nayef (3/1), Paper Lantern (9/2), Russian Regent (7/1), Hawk Eye Down (8/1), Danse Away (8/1), Willow Grange (12/1), Analyse That (20/1)

The unexposed DROMORE LAD has the scope to make further progress in handicaps and is forwarded as the most interesting contender in an ordinary handicap. The selection does have 7lb more on his back after winning at Fairyhouse in October, but the manner of his success created the impression that he has a good way to go yet and he looks worth siding with for the time being. Ali Bin Nayef has also come good of late and appeals as a viable alternative, while Paper Lantern reverts to hurdles after paying the price for a good spell over fences - he is well treated in comparison to his chase rating.