15:45 Limerick

Wednesday 21 March 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:20

Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 51.6s

Ice Cool⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 109

20/1

Has shown relatively little in two starts in December pulling up at Punchestown latest. Will need to improve to figure.

Form: 413/3-0P

Railway Tommy²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 107

5/1

Beaten a total of 50L in two starts since the turn of the year and unlikely to play a part here.

Form: 5/7F6-66

Wee Small Hours^t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 103

4/1

Has delivered three improved efforts since the turn of the year including a win in a Navan handicap hurdle in January. One for the shortlist.

Form: 544314

Half Moon Street³⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: E P Harty| OR: 100

20/1

Lightly raced six-year-old who was ninth of 10 well beaten when last seen a year ago at Wexford. Market can reveal expectations on return from a significant absence.

Form: 03P09-

Iusetaluvheronce^v1¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 99

11/1

14 race maiden but placed four times over hurdles but was pulled up on last run over timber in October at Galway and well beaten over the larger obstacles earlier this month. Hard to fancy. Wears first-time visor.

Form: 3522P7

The Pounds^t⁶⁹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 97

20/1

Last seen well beaten 23L at Tipperary in April 2016 when in the care of Thomas Foley. Big ask for the veteran on stable debut here.

Form: 326009/

Nerual²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 95

4/1

Still without a win over hurdles after 11 attempts and recent efforts have not been without merit but disappointed last time out in a Thurles handicap hurdle last month. Place claims at best.

Form: 7-07924

The Ballyboys²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hackett| OR: 92| BF| C

7/1

Beaten favourite last time out in a Thurles handicap hurdle over 2m on soft ground last month. Duel course winner and trainer has been known to ready one at this meeting.

Form: 016304

Ballinabearna²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 85

9/2

Well beaten on all five starts so far and no signs of encouragement when ninth of 15 last time at Naas; has it all to do.

Form: 00709

Forever Charmer³³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: A E Lynch| T: E Cawley| OR: 84

14/1

Has yet to pose any credible threat in four spins over hurdles including when last seen in April last year. Looks out of his depth here.

Form: 0/000-

Forecasts

Nerual (4/1), Wee Small Hours (4/1), Ballinabearna (9/2), Railway Tommy (5/1), The Ballyboys (7/1), Iusetaluvheronce (11/1), Forever Charmer (14/1), Ice Cool (20/1), The Pounds (20/1), Half Moon Street (20/1)

WEE SMALL HOURS is a horse going the right way and there's every chance he can get his head in front in a race as weak as this. The Ballyboys was a beaten favourite last time out but is of interest on his previous course form. Nerual may prove best of the rest despite a poor run when last seen.