16:10 Thurles

Thursday 22 February 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Thurles Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 6m 34.10s

Captainofthefleet⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 117| CD

7/1

Popular veteran who is still plying his trade over timber and on the Flat. Looks a tall order on recent form shown.

Form: 20-0076

Nick Lost¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 115

11/2

Has disappointed connections with a number of drab efforts well beaten in three maiden hurdles. Market likely to reveal expectations on handicap debut.

Form: 4/7-355

Railway Tommy²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 109| D

10/1

Distance winner but has shown relatively little in chase and hurdles starts. Looks to be regressing as he reaches the veteran stage of career.

Form: 35/7F6-6

Sir Carno^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 112

5/2

Left clear at the final hurdle when winning a Punchestown maiden last month. Raised 6lb for that effort but can be expected to run a big race again.

Form: 4-57941

Undressed^b,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: M Hourigan| OR: 107

12/1

Has produced a number of laboured and inadequate runs since December and has plenty of work to do on current form.

Form: 03P506

Perfect Man¹⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S J Gray⁽³⁾| T: P Hurley| OR: 104| C

20/1

Course winner who has been left toiling in a number of starts in a spring/summer jumping campaign. Will possibly need the run on return to the track.

Form: 10P-00P

Capture The Drama²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: Aengus King| OR: 103| D

28/1

Has had a torrid time of it since winning a Fairyhouse handicap chase on New Years day with a heavy 71L defeat followed by failing to finish over timber and the larger obstacles. May struggle again in this contest.

Form: 0719PP

An'ball^t⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hackett| OR: 102

7/1

Not much to shout about in three maiden hurdle starts before another defeat in a novice hurdle here in November. Hard to see him making any significant impact on return to the track.

Form: 204804

Naturally Blond^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: Patrick Cronin| OR: 98

16/1

Much improved performance last time out when finishing second of 16 in a beginners chase here in November. Needs to improve his hurdling but not easy to discount on return to timber.

Form: 035882

Nerual^b1⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 95

4/1

Still without a win over hurdles after 10 attempts, but recent efforts have not been without merit including a second of 11 last time out in November. First time blinkers sure to be a positive.

Form: 37-0792

Forecasts

Sir Carno (5/2), Nerual (4/1), Nick Lost (11/2), An'ball (7/1), Captainofthefleet (7/1), Railway Tommy (10/1), Undressed (12/1), Naturally Blond (16/1), Perfect Man (20/1), Capture The Drama (28/1)

Any repeat of his fine 2½L win last time out when left in the lead at the last in a Punchestown novice handicap hurdle last month should see SIR CARNO take this contest without any problems. The first-time blinkers on Nerul and the mark on handicap debut for Nick Lost could see the pair hitting the frame.