UCC Horse Racing Society Hurdle

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 21.7s

Lieutenant Colonel^b,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| D

13/8

His sole win in the last three years came in a novice chase and last run over this trip was in 2014. Just touched off by Jezki last time when held up in a slowly run race (2m2f) and when Karalee was a neck behind.

Form: 7-34P22

Jaime Sommers²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe| OR: 130| D

10/1

Has something to find at this level and she may want better ground than this. Should come on for her latest run and there is some tactical speed if this turns into a messy race.

Form: 21U356

Karalee^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

4/5

Dual-winner who was third to Apple's Jade at the Punchestown Festival in 2017. Closely matched with Lieutenant Colonel, but would have more chance of reversing the form on less testing ground than forecast. Stable took this last year.

Form: 13-38P3

Knockraha Pylon^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: A Maguire| OR: 123| BF| CD

9/1

Lacks the class of these rivals, but is probably more at home over this trip. Has winning C&D form in similar conditions and no forlorn hope.

Form: 344P13

Forecasts

Karalee (4/5), Lieutenant Colonel (13/8), Knockraha Pylon (9/1), Jaime Sommers (10/1)

Although this is just a four-runner contest there are a number of traps that await in what could turn into a tactical battle. Jaime Sommers and Karalee have been shown to want less testing conditions than predicted and the latter may want a stiffer test. Knockraha Pylon is the most natural two-miler in this but lacks the class of her rivals. LIEUTENANT COLONEL is a dual Grade 1 winner whose best form has come over further. He travelled well for a long way last time though over 2m2f when just denied in a similar contest. The Gigginstown runner earns the vote by virtue of that effort and in the expectation he handles conditions better than Karalee.