16:45 Tramore

Monday 16 April 2018

All16:4517:1517:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Bulmers Cider Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 4m 29.00s

Thomas O'Malley^t³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Finn| OR: 109

5/1

Beaten favourite in September when a disappointing seventh of 12 beaten 14L in a Down Royal maiden hurdle before finishing third 18 at Thurles in October when last seen over hurdles. Solid on three occasions at Dundalk since. Worth a market check.

Form: 273

Freedom Chimes³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: D J Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins

2/1

Promising third of nine beaten 7¾L in a Wexford maiden hurdle last month and would not have to improve much to land a blow here.

Form: 3

I've Got Rhythm⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Dwyer

20/1

Nothing to show in two below-par maiden hurdle displays at Cork and Thurles since the turn of the year. Others hold stronger profiles.

Form: 00

Itsalonglongroad^h,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: M J Bolger| T: J C McConnell

5/1

Pitched in at the deep end over hurdles in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in February before leading and strongly pressed for the lead when falling two out at Down Royal last month. Learning with every run and hard to dismiss.

Form: 6F

Presenting Point

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: E O'Grady

20/1

Presenting gelding out of an Alderbrook related to the likes of Denman, War Of Attrition and recent Aintree winner Balnaslow. Market likely to reveal expectations.

Form:

Sometimes A Fox²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

2/1

Appeared to relish the step up in trip in a more polished round of hurdling when finishing third of nine in a Downpatrick maiden hurdle last month. Another bold show looks likely despite drop back to 2m.

Form: PP3

Whereyounow

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: A E Lynch| T: R Sweeney

16/1

Carlotamix gelding out of a Kayf Tara related to Thistlecrack and Special Tiara and recent Aintree winner Identity Thief. Market possibly best guide to chances.

Form:

Sunshineandshowers

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J S McGarvey| T: A Leahy

33/1

Daughter of Oscar out of a Topanoora mare related to Big Zeb, Our Duke and Champion hurdler Rock On Ruby. Market should be informative for powerful owner.

Form:

Forecasts

Sometimes A Fox (2/1), Freedom Chimes (2/1), Itsalonglongroad (5/1), Thomas O'Malley (5/1), Whereyounow (16/1), I've Got Rhythm (20/1), Presenting Point (20/1), Sunshineandshowers (33/1)

ITSALONGLONGROAD was still in contention when falling two on his second start over timber. The four-year-old is highly thought of at home and can lose his maiden tag here. Thomas O'Malley can give the selection the most to think about in this contest following on from three spins on the AW at Dundalk. The Mags Mullins-trained Freedom Chimes and the Gigginstown runner Sometimes A Fox can battle for third.