13:45 Cork

Monday 2 April 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:2017:55

Mallow Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 7m 19.10s

Double Portrait⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: S J Mahon| C

12/1

Bumper winner who was fairly disappointing when pulled up on hurdling debut in December before a 41L defeat in a Naas maiden hurdle last time out when in the care of Gordon Elliott. Best watched on debut for new yard.

Form: P221-P6

Free Code^t⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan

100/1

Won five times on the Flat when trained in England, but was unplaced in seven starts on the level after joining his current stable and two shuddering maiden hurdle defeats does not stir any confidence.

Form: 45

Robin The Hare^p1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon| D

8/1

Not much to shout about in three races under rules including last time out when 24L adrift of The Conditional at Thurles last month. Very little to be positive about despite first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1-F4F3

Southerner^h⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr W T Cronin⁽⁷⁾| T: William Cronin

33/1

Fourth of 10 beaten 19L at Clonmel last week his second heavy maiden hurdle defeat since February and unlikely to fare any better here.

Form: 50/4884

Stoneford⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: N Meade

13/8

Improving with every run since the turn of the year in two maiden hurdle starts. Yard among the winners recently and worth a market check.

Form: 1/832

Ask And Answer^t1¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: S Aherne| OR: 102

7/1

Well beaten and never a factor in three maiden hurdle starts since the turn of the year and first time tongue tie unlikely to bring about any progress.

Form: P2673

Brave Oscar

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hassett

33/1

Oscar gelding out of a Bigstone mare related to Big Zeb, Our Duke and recent Carlisle novice chase winner Ballycrystal. Worth a market check but possibly one for the future.

Form:

Defy De Mee⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: N M Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins

3/1

€190,000 purchase at sales last year after winning in France. Very green and no impression on debut in a Punchestown maiden hurdle in February. Negatives dismissed and sure to go better.

Form: 46-217

Itscatrionaschoice^t1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D L Queally⁽³⁾| T: J Dullea

8/1

Never getting to the winner when second of 14 in a Naas maiden hurdle in February before well beaten in a Wexford bumper. Will need to improve to land a blow here in first time tongue-tie.

Form: 5024

Seeyouallinchasers³⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: I J McCarthy| T: E M O'Sullivan

50/1

Looked beaten when fell late on in lowly point-to-point before finishing over 8L behind Lackaneen Leader when last seen in a Cork bumper a year ago. Will possibly need the run.

Form: 3PF6-

Non-Runners

Hugo 'n Taz¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: D Hogan J: R J Condon

Settimo Milanese⁹⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: M F Morris J: Mr J C Barry

Triangle Rock¹⁴⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 5

T: M F Morris J: S E Lewis

Forecasts

Stoneford (13/8), Defy De Mee (3/1), Ask And Answer (7/1), Settimo Milanese (7/1), Robin The Hare (8/1), Itscatrionaschoice (8/1), Double Portrait (12/1), Hugo 'n Taz (14/1), Southerner (33/1), Brave Oscar (33/1), Triangle Rock (33/1), Seeyouallinchasers (50/1), Free Code (100/1)

If Robin The Hare takes up the running in the early stages on the ground he could hand the advantage to the improving and easy travelling STONEFORD who can take the opener to continue his progress in this company. Biggest danger is likely to be the Willie Mullins-trained Defy De Mee who is expected to improve on his stable debut run at Punchestown while Double Portrait could improve for new connections.