17:10 Fairyhouse

Saturday 24 February 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

Ian Smith Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 7.7s

Batcio^h²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr A McMahon⁽⁷⁾| T: T M Walsh

20/1

Point-to-point winner, sent off 25/1 and made little impression in a bumper at Naas last month and future probably lies over jumps, watching brief for now.

Form: U16

Criq Sun

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: L Fowler

33/1

Zambezi Sun gelding, doesn't make dramatic appeal on paper and looks one to watch on first start for small yard (0-15 with previous bumper runners).

Form:

The Granson¹³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| BF

7/1

Showed promise in a handful of runs for Sandra Hughes last year. Second in bumper at Thurles on October (even-money favourite) when last spotted having travelled nicely. This is potentially tougher.

Form: 25/3-42

Buddy Rich

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Ms N Carberry| T: W T Farrell

8/1

Rock Of Gibraltar gelding out of a Noverre mare related to multiple jumps winners Gimli's Rock and Houston Dynamo. Looks a longer term prospect.

Form:

Perito Moreno⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr S F O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle

16/1

Some promise on debut at Navan in November but backwards step taken at Leopardstown over Christmas (tailed off) and gets a watching brief on the back of that run.

Form: 30

Pilot Station⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr C Fahy⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Fahy

12/1

Looked promising in Leopardstown bumper over Christmas, having failed to complete in three point-to-points, but since run a less pleasing race over this C&D last month, giving Elusive Pimpernel gelding something to prove.

Form: F-UF46

Sometime Soon⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott

5/2

Shantou gelding cost €26,000 as a three-year-old before being resold to Gigginstown for £225,000 at four. Won sole point-to-point and obvious contender on rules debut for Gordon Elliott.

Form: 1

Stay Humble³²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/8

Beat Hollow gelding is a half-brother to French hurdle/chase winner up to 2m3f Une Lapin Rouge. Won sole point-to-point in April and represents powerful connections on debut. Noted.

Form: 1-

Thosedaysaregone

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes

12/1

Getaway gelding is a half-brother to bumper winner/2m2f hurdle winner Lord Adare. Yard in decent form and could run well on first outing.

Form:

Tidal River⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Ms K Walsh| T: A Mullins

16/1

Flemensfirth gelding out of a Buckskin mare related to Tidal Bay, took a while to get the hang of things over C&D last month in rules bow. Must improve to get involved at the business end.

Form: 5

Why Stop Now

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr C W McCormack⁽⁷⁾| T: Thomas Coyle

33/1

Newcomer for yard yet to have bumper winner (0-6). Looks up against it on paper against some smart rivals from powerful connections.

Form:

Result Amended

Batcio - Original Position 6th. Amended Position 5th.

Criq Sun - Original Position 7th. Amended Position 6th.

The Granson - Original Position 5th. Amended Position 10th.

Pilot Station - Original Position 8th. Amended Position 7th.

Tidal River - Original Position 9th. Amended Position 8th.

Why Stop Now - Original Position 10th. Amended Position 9th.

Forecasts

Stay Humble (11/8), Sometime Soon (5/2), The Granson (7/1), Buddy Rich (8/1), Thosedaysaregone (12/1), Pilot Station (12/1), Tidal River (16/1), Perito Moreno (16/1), Batcio (20/1), Criq Sun (33/1), Why Stop Now (33/1)

This looks a clash between the champion trainer and the heir-apparent, with STAY HUMBLE just about getting the verdict for the Mullins team. He was impressive in winning his only point-to-point and has some positive vibes coming from Closutton over his potential. With the yard in typically strong form, he will know his job on seasonal bow. Sometime Soon cannot be dismissed too hastily and Gordon Elliott's charge has fairly decent claims himself having also won his sole point-to-point, ensuring he and Lisa O'Neill should be right in the firing line when it matters most. Newcomer Thosedaysaregone and The Granson lead the list of dangers to the likely market principles.