13:20 Navan

Sunday 17 December 2017

All12:1512:5013:2013:5514:3015:0015:30

Tara Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 5m 32.4s

Oscar Sam⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 140| CD

16/1

C&D winner who has won on three occasions on heavy ground. Well beaten on seasonal debut and still 9lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 813B0-8

Charlie Stout^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: S Nolan| OR: 130| D

12/1

Distance winner for gelding who is 17lb higher than last winning mark following a series of solid and gutsy performances over the summer. Difficult task on current mark.

Form: 1P2-227

Grand Partner²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: T Mullins| OR: 130| C| D

14/1

Course winner that has won over this trip but is still 5lb higher than last hurdle win and is without a win on heavy ground. Worth a market check.

Form: 0-778P4

She's A Star¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 130| C| D

5/1

Rock-solid and consistent in the last six weeks without winning any of her three appearances. Tough ask raised in the weights for placing in her last two starts and 14lb higher than last win but is a mare on the up.

Form: 2PP-433

Fine Rightly⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: A E Lynch| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 129| CD

8/1

Course winner that has won over this trip and disappointed last time out despite finishing third of nine when well beaten 24L. Others make more appeal.

Form: 3040-33

Highland Fling¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J S McGarvey| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 129| D

12/1

Failed to quicken when in contention approaching two out before fading to finish ninth of 20 earlier this month over 2m. Distance winner will appreciate the return to 2m4f.

Form: 604-419

Diamond Cauchois³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| BF| D

4/1

Signed off last season with a win at Thurles following a dependable season before finishing third of 13 beaten 1¾L on return last month when beaten favourite. More progress possible and not dismissed.

Form: 42P01-3

Drumacoo³⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: M Hourigan| OR: 128| BF

12/1

Lightly raced gelding who had the last of three disappointing starts for Ben Pauling last December when last seen. Market likely to reveal expectations on return to original yard.

Form: 11114/U-

Kauto Grand Mogol^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 125

16/1

Held up in touch when fancied to go well eventually weakening two out beaten 21L behind Folsom Blue in a Clonmel handicap hurdle last month. Needs to regain the form that saw the gelding finish fourth of 21 in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.

Form: 4184/06

Jimmy Breekie¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Moore| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 124| C| D

10/1

Having his third start since October the course winner has won over this trip is in good heart following a solid third of 14 beaten 4L in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle over 2m4f.

Form: 512643

Racing Pulse⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 124| BF

16/1

144-rated hurdler for John Quinn and a 139-rated chaser for Rebecca Curtis pulled up on debut for current yard when sent off 5/2f. Very little to be positive about.

Form: B6P0-PP

Camelia De Cotte^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 123

14/1

Raced towards rear on seasonal debut before failing to quicken before two out and looking one paced at Fairyhouse earlier this month when seventh of 14 beaten 11½L. Will need to improve.

Form: 3/15-7

Tourboy¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: I J McCarthy| T: M Fahey| OR: 123

20/1

Pulled up when no extra in Kilbeggan novice hurdle over 3m1f following a fine win in his maiden hurdle at Punchestown in May. May possibly appreciate the drop in trip here.

Form: 70-1P

Crosshue Boy^t⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Doyle| OR: 121| D

16/1

Returned to hurdling in August finishing fourth of 10 in a Sligo handicap hurdle in second-time tongue-tie before finishing 14L behind Highland Fling at Listowel last time out. Looks a tall order on form shown.

Form: 998345

The Kings Baby²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Mr S F O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: M McCabe| OR: 120| D

14/1

Could possible be in the hands of the handicapper following two genuine wins at Tramore and Thurles when beaten 11½L at Punchestown last month. Now 15lb higher than first win in October.

Form: P5-2114

Rightdownthemiddle²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: E M Roche⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 118| D

16/1

Not much to shout about in a series of laboured performances over his last four starts including being pulled-up last time out. Others make more appeal.

Form: F-P780P

Forecasts

Diamond Cauchois (4/1), She's A Star (5/1), Fine Rightly (8/1), Jimmy Breekie (10/1), Charlie Stout (12/1), Drumacoo (12/1), Highland Fling (12/1), Grand Partner (14/1), The Kings Baby (14/1), Camelia De Cotte (14/1), Oscar Sam (16/1), Racing Pulse (16/1), Kauto Grand Mogol (16/1), Crosshue Boy (16/1), Rightdownthemiddle (16/1), Tourboy (20/1)

The Kings Baby likes to get on with things from the front usually and if continuing his tactics should ensure a fair and even pace with Highland Fling and Charlie Stout chasing in behind. The pace should establish a good passage in to the race for the consistent SHE'S A STAR who will be thereabouts at the business end of the race with Diamond Cauchois and the returning Drumacoo battling for the minors.