16:55 Thurles

Thursday 8 March 2018

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

Thurles Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 6m 33.20s

Montys Meadow⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Mangan| OR: 126| C

4/1

Popular veteran who has been in fine form recently and could be capable of having his say here once again.

Form: 04-P523

O Ceallaigh⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 123

25/1

Still looking for his first win over fences after nine attempts, but has some fair placed form to his credit. Has work to do on form shown at the end of last year.

Form: 3324-75

Sir Carno^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 124| C

7/4

Comes here on a hat-trick following wins at Punchestown and a 14L demolition of a 10-runner field over C&D last month. Can be expected to improve again despite a 12lb penalty.

Form: 579411

Racing Pulse³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr T O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Connor| OR: 120

25/1

Has produced a number of laboured runs recently and comes here for a sixth stable debut start following three runs for Willie Mullins. Likely to struggle in this contest.

Form: P0-PP88

Whatever Jacksays¹⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-3| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 119

25/1

Lightly raced veteran who has been well beaten since returning from a five year lay-off in December. Looks up against it here.

Form: 011/898

The Gatechecker¹⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 115| BF

6/1

Beaten favourite last time out when finishing third of six in a weak Ballinrobe chase when last seen in September. Worth a market check back over timber.

Form: 724U23

Seskinane³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: B McMahon| OR: 112

10/1

Placed in four of his last five handicap hurdle starts but the veteran needs everything to fall right for him nowadays and can only hope to hit the frame again.

Form: 533303

Mary Frances¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M Hassett| OR: 111

7/1

Beaten on all six starts this season including a 8¾L defeat last time out in a Navan handicap hurdle. Looks vulnerable in this company.

Form: F23P54

Winter Breeze¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: M Winters| OR: 105

25/1

Landed a maiden and a handicap hurdle last summer but not in great form in four runs over timber this term. Looks opposable.

Form: 1/89-595

Bee A Beneficiary^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: D Queally| OR: 98| BF

4/1

Runner-up in his last three starts including last time out in a Fairyhouse novice handicap hurdle finishing second of eight. May have to settle for a place once again.

Form: 934222

Forecasts

Sir Carno (7/4), Montys Meadow (4/1), Bee A Beneficiary (4/1), The Gatechecker (6/1), Mary Frances (7/1), Seskinane (10/1), O Ceallaigh (25/1), Whatever Jacksays (25/1), Racing Pulse (25/1), Winter Breeze (25/1)

It is possible that O Ceallaigh and Whatever Jacksays could dispute the lead here in the early stages with Mary Frances chasing behind. The early speed in the conditions could be an advantage to bottom weight Bee A Beneficiary and Montys Meadow to arrive late in to the race with Gordon Elliotts SIR CARNO who can land a hat-trick of wins here.