13:50 Thurles

Sunday 21 January 2018

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

W.T. O'Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 14.9s

Beyond The Law^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: M F Morris

7/2

In good form of late winning each of his last two starts in impressive style. Most recent of those came at Clonmel (2m3f, heavy) earlier this month and he is one for the shortlist upped in trip.

Form: 204311

Dom Dolo³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 129| CD

8/1

Winner of two of his three starts so far including over 2m7f on heavy ground here last month. Slight drop in trip shouldn't inconvenience him and he is an interesting runner today.

Form: 511

Articulum⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D E Splaine| T: T O'Brien

5/2

Winner of two bumpers in 2016 and off the mark at the first time of asking over obstacles in a 2m maiden hurdle at Cork (soft-to-heavy) two months ago. Interesting to see how he fares upped in grade.

Form: 3211/0-1

Sympa Des Flos^h,t1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

8/1

Ended a run of four consecutive second's when winning a maiden hurdle over 2m6f at Limerick (heavy) last month. Step up in trip appeared to suit on that occasion and he is a leading contender with a tongue tie fitted for the first time.

Form: 2/2221

Burrows Saint^t1⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

7/2

Showed useful form over hurdles and fences for Guillaume Macaire in France and made the perfect start to his Irish career when winning at Punchestown (2m4f, soft-to-heavy) in November. Wears a tongue tie for the first time upped in trip.

Form: 2/2742-1

Discorama²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan

7/1

Shock winner of a 2m2f maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (soft) in December but showed that was no fluke when finishing runner-up at Limerick (2m4f, heavy) subsequently. More needed if he's to take this contest however.

Form: 2-12

Dortmund Park^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

12/1

Dual bumper winner in France and put a disappointing debut for this yard behind him when winning over 2m4f at Fairyhouse (heavy) last time out. Tongue tie worn on that occasion is retained today.

Form: 1-161

High Nellie⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe| OR: 114

40/1

The most experienced horse in this line up by some way but has won just once from 30 starts under rules. Official ratings leave her with plenty to find today.

Form: 224443

Forecasts

Articulum (5/2), Burrows Saint (7/2), Beyond The Law (7/2), Discorama (7/1), Sympa Des Flos (8/1), Dom Dolo (8/1), Dortmund Park (12/1), High Nellie (40/1)

BURROWS SAINT boasts some strong form from his days in France and he can maintain his unbeaten record since joining this stable by following up November's Punchestown maiden hurdle success today. His biggest rival today may well prove to be stablemate Sympa Des Flos who appeared to appreciate the stamina test when breaking his maiden last time out while top weight Beyond The Law can claim third on his first attempt at this trip.