13:50 Gowran Park

Thursday 25 January 2018

All12:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 7m 8.70s

Admiral Brian^h,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: E O'Connell| T: E O'Connell| OR: 121| D

66/1

Defied odds of 25-1 when returning to form in a five-runner contest at Clonmel last month before finishing fifth of 12 beaten a long way in a Cork handicap hurdle. Tough ask.

Form: 576415

Alpha Des Obeaux^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M F Morris| OR: 154| CD

9/2

Wore cheekpieces when successful in a Grade 2 contest over an extended 2m4f at Clonmel in November before disappointing at Aintree and Leopardstown last month. Will need to improve to figure.

Form: 6-24146

Augusta Kate²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

8/1

Decent mare on her day but well beaten behind Apple's Jade on her three most recent outings and likely to struggle here.

Form: F615-64

Diamond Cauchois^t1³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 143

5/1

Signed off last season with a win at Thurles following a dependable season before finishing third of 13 beaten 1¾L on return and winning a Navan handicap hurdle last time out last month 8L ahead of Fine Rightly. Plaice claims.

Form: 2P01-31

Lieutenant Colonel^p,t⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| C| D

16/1

Took the 2014 renewal of this contest when trained by Sandra Hughes but disappointing in the main since and could finish only fourth in a 2m7f hurdle at Thurles last time out in October.

Form: PP57-34

Presenting Percy^t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: P G Kelly| OR: 156| D

9/4

Pertemps winner and impressed on chase debut at Galway in October but disappointed at Punchestown in November before winning a Fairyhouse handicap chase last month. Capable sort and can overcome big penalty.

Form: 116-131

Let's Dance²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145

9/4

Winner of the Grade 3 Mares' hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas following a fall four out in seasonal debut at Punchestown in November. Likely to be popular in the market.

Form: 1124-F1

Non-Runners

Bacardys²⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Mr P W Mullins

Forecasts

Presenting Percy (9/4), Let's Dance (9/4), Bacardys (4/1), Alpha Des Obeaux (9/2), Diamond Cauchois (5/1), Augusta Kate (8/1), Lieutenant Colonel (16/1), Admiral Brian (66/1)

The Willie Mullins pair Bacardys and Lets Dance both need to go well here as a below par performance from either could scupper ant Cheltenham plans their master trainer may have for them but PRESENTING PERCY looks the main stumbling block to the duo's chances here following a win in the Pertemps at last season's Cheltenham festival and a facile success over the larger obstacles last month.