15:50 Thurles

Thursday 8 March 2018

All14:1514:4515:1515:5016:2016:5517:25

Killinan Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 24.10s

Desertmore Dreamer⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: D Leahy| OR: 94| D

25/1

Caused a surprise when winning at odds of 33/1 at Tramore last August but soon reverted to type well beaten on his last two starts and one of the outsiders here.

Form: 8810-67

Lets High Five It^h¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr J W O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Neill| OR: 93| CD

10/1

Sole win in 24-race career was over C&D back in February 2016 off a 6lb higher mark. Has clearly regressed and one to pass over in this company.

Form: 5-50652

Ballikanan¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Richard Condon⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Brien| OR: 92

25/1

Went close on Rules debut in bumper last year but has looked no great shakes in three starts over hurdles so far. Needs to find more to figure.

Form: FF-2800

Zipporah^t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: Miss D O'Shea| OR: 92| C| D

14/1

Course winner that has won over this trip. Has disappointed connections in a series of inept displays since December and looks up against it here.

Form: 58-7307

Flemen Majic²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 89

14/1

Signs of promise in a bumper and four outings over hurdles but beaten a minimum of 21L on each occasion. Likely to be of more interest on handicap debut.

Form: 58085

Rose's In The Rain¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: E Bolger| OR: 87

6/1

Not unfancied on handicap hurdle debut when fifth of nine over C&D last time out when sent off at 6/1 following two previous occasions when starting at no lower than 100/1. A market check is advised once again.

Form: 0005

Analyse That^p¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss S Ahern⁽⁷⁾| T: S Aherne| OR: 86| CD

3/1

Popular old-timer who beat Rose's In The Rain two weeks ago over C&D on soft ground. Another big run looks on the cards but 6lb rise a worry.

Form: 85PPP1

Mister Butler^b1,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: S A Mulcahy⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 86

13/2

Failed to place in nine starts under rules and pulled up in a 2m beginners chase at Gowran Park in January before falling when still holding every chance two out at Fairyhouse last month. Looks vulnerable with a switch back to hurdling.

Form: 0908PF

Not Touch^b,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 85

14/1

Maiden in 12 starts on Flat for Richard Hannon and no luck so far in 11 unplaced starts over hurdles including finishing 23L adrift of Analyse That over C&D last month. Looks up against it here.

Form: F70P77

Punches Pious¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: M P Burke⁽⁵⁾| T: T Doyle| OR: 84

4/1

Not disgraced in his last two hurdle starts at Naas and last time out over C%D when third of nine 7½L behind Analyse That last month. Capable of running a big race.

Form: 60/F053

Viking Hoard¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr J Mulvihill⁽⁷⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 95

10/1

Well beaten and no impression in three dour maiden hurdle efforts including last time at Gowran Park finishing 78L behind the winner Saldier. Likely to be more popular on handicap debut.

Form: 979

Alfred Wegener²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: C D Meehan⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 92

20/1

Well beaten and no impression in three maiden hurdle efforts. Needs to find a significant degree of improvement in order to be in the shake up.

Form: 0P4

Quay Witness^t1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: E T Daly⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Martin| OR: 80

25/1

Has looked over-whelmed in two handicap hurdles recently well beaten on both occasions. Plenty to prove in this contest looking at exposed form.

Form: UP0007

Shantelle^b³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: R Donohoe| OR: 80

33/1

Remains a maiden after 15 starts well beaten in six starts since November. Appears to need some relief from the handicapper.

Form: 0P6979

Forecasts

Analyse That (3/1), Punches Pious (4/1), Rose's In The Rain (6/1), Mister Butler (13/2), Lets High Five It (10/1), Viking Hoard (10/1), Zipporah (14/1), Flemen Majic (14/1), Not Touch (14/1), Alfred Wegener (20/1), Desertmore Dreamer (25/1), Ballikanan (25/1), Quay Witness (25/1), Shantelle (33/1)

Zipporah likes to get on with things from the front and can be expected to lead here in the early exchanges of the contest giving last time out winner Analyse That a decent pull in to the race over this 2m trip. The veteran ran out an easy winner here in February but won't have things his own way with PUNCHES PIOUS 6lb better off for his third behind the old-timer that day. Handicap hurdle debutantes Viking Hoard and Flemen Majic are worth a check in the market.