16:55 Punchestown

Tuesday 24 April 2018

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

Killashee Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 4m 9.2s

Lagostovegas³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| D

14/1

Winner of two Grade B hurdles in late summer before two fine efforts on the Flat. Again in good form this spring, including when around 5L fifth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham off this mark.

Form: P31135

Tigris River^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 144| D

50/1

Nothing of any note in a number of hurdle starts since November including being pulled up last time out when weakening quickly in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Last summer's form would make him interesting.

Form: 9060P0

Ivanovich Gorbatov^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: M A Enright| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142| D

33/1

A shadow of the horse that won the Triumph Hurdle in 2016, efforts this season are far from encouraging and not showing any signs he'll take advantage of ever-decreasing handicap mark. Pulled up at Aintree 11 days ago.

Form: 00700P

Bunk Off Early⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| D

14/1

Still quite lightly-raced and did finish second in Grade 1 novice event over hurdles last season at Leopardstown (2m2f, soft). Reverts here after falling over fences at Gowran Park in January. Not one to dismiss easily.

Form: 1205-2F

Joey Sasa¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 138| D

14/1

Fair hurdler who should be capable of a challenge from this rating. Warmed up with AW success at Dundalk a fortnight ago and not hard to make case for in competitive heat.

Form: 3207-41

Morgan^h⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| D

16/1

Well beaten a week ago at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) on return from a break, but did run well to a point. Entitled to be fitter now and booking of Jack Kennedy suggests a decent effort is expected.

Form: 212348

Carrig Cathal^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: K C Sexton| T: S J Mahon| OR: 136

28/1

Back to form when winning over 2m2f on heavy going at Ballinrobe this month, putting a few poor runs behind him. Not out of this from new rating, but this is certainly a good deal tougher and career-best needed.

Form: 40-U0P1

High School Days²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136| D

33/1

Winner of a handicap hurdle off a mark of 122 at Thurles (2m, heavy) in December but struggled since, albeit behind the likes of Getabird and Laurina (twice).

Form: 1114PF

Grand Partner¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Cooper| T: T Mullins| OR: 135| D

25/1

Admirable performer, won over 2m at Leopardstown last month and subsequently beaten just 2½L (fifth) in Grade 3 Handicap over 2m4f (soft) at Aintree off 1lb higher than today's mark. Drop in trip suits.

Form: 303415

Western Boy¹⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: P A Fahy| OR: 135| CD

14/1

Now rated 6lb higher than when taking this prize a year ago, unconvincing efforts behind Tigris River and Lagostovegas in two hurdles run since. Comes here off a 170-day absence but did take this first time out last year.

Form: P9/F1-P5

Duca De Thaix^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: N D Fehily| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| D

25/1

Lightly-raced sort, won a Limerick Grade 3 on second start for Gordon Elliott in December, no threat in tough handicaps at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse this spring and needs to bounce back.

Form: 1-41609

Ben Dundee^t1³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| C| D

10/1

Well-backed to win 2m4f soft-ground handicap here in October on first start for this yard. Run well in decent handicaps since and faced thankless task in County Hurdle last month from 6lb higher mark than this. Tongue tie on and may go well.

Form: 5-16200

Articulum^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: A E Lynch| T: T O'Brien| OR: 132| D

12/1

Runaway winner of 2m Cork maiden hurdle in November, shaped with promise in two tough contests over further since while also going close in 2m Listed Navan contest in between times. Could be capable back down in trip.

Form: 0-1P424

Nessun Dorma⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132| D

14/1

Was well beaten at Fairyhouse a week ago in competitive 2m soft-ground handicap when coming down at the final flight. Represents top team and presence of Townend suggests he may have some bounce-back claims.

Form: 113F

Ballyoisin¹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: E Bolger| OR: 131| D

8/1

Has only had three starts over hurdles but reached a rating of 157 over fences this term. Off since December but could have place shout if ready to roll on return and has gone well this C&D over timber.

Form: 31212F

Low Sun^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 131| D

9/1

Lazy sort, was coaxed around Fairyhouse seven days ago before producing a good turn of foot from the last to score under this rider. Up 8lb for his trouble but well worth another try whilst in good heart.

Form: 14201

Golden Spear^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 129| D

14/1

5L behind Grand Partner at Leopardstown last month on first start for 125 days, travelled well into contention in that contest and no surprise if he produces a bit more in the finish off the same mark now.

Form: P5-2604

Dis Donc³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 128| BF| D

12/1

Consistent sort and finished in the first two on each of his last five starts including when a nose second on handicap debut at Navan (2m, heavy) last time out. Races off a 4lb higher mark today and is likely to run well once more.

Form: 722212

Light That^t1¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126| D

25/1

Shown some promise in three runs over fences, though essentially well held each time. Minor money perhaps within reach with new headgear on.

Form: 806243

Veinard^t⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

25/1

Good second over fences at Fairyhouse in February when last spotted and ran well in valuable 2m handicap at that track in December, form that would give him some pretensions of going well in this.

Form: 488972

Ten Ten¹⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 125| D

10/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Down Royal in November on second start over timber (just holding off Dis Donc) and returns from a break on what could be a decent opening handicap mark.

Form: 31

Icario^h,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 124

33/1

Maiden winner at Down Royal last month, since finished well beaten behind Carrig Cathal in Ballinrobe handicap. Capable of challenging from this mark but doesn't appear to be holding any secrets from the assessor.

Form: 3P2213

True Self⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 123| D

12/1

Thurles maiden hurdle winner in November, was a late casualty at Fairyhouse a week ago when well held in a race won by Low Sun. Too soon to be written off for current champion trainer.

Form: 11124F

Pietralunga^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 121| D

25/1

Made a winning hurdling debut at Clonmel (2m, heavy) in January, well beaten in valuable mares' graded contest won by talented stablemate Laurina at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse since. Handicap debut from foot of the weights.

Form: 17F

Non-Runners

Housesofparliament¹⁴²

Weight: 10-6| Age: 5

T: J P O'Brien J: R P Treacy

Tara Dylan²³

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: T Mullins J: Reserve 1

Chesterfield King²³

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: J P Dempsey J: Reserve 2

Pete So High¹¹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Ballyoisin (8/1), Low Sun (9/1), Ben Dundee (10/1), Ten Ten (10/1), True Self (12/1), Articulum (12/1), Dis Donc (12/1), Joey Sasa (14/1), Nessun Dorma (14/1), Lagostovegas (14/1), Western Boy (14/1), Golden Spear (14/1), Bunk Off Early (14/1), Morgan (16/1), Chesterfield King (20/1), Housesofparliament (20/1), Light That (25/1), Duca De Thaix (25/1), Veinard (25/1), Pietralunga (25/1), Grand Partner (25/1), Pete So High (25/1), Carrig Cathal (28/1), Ivanovich Gorbatov (33/1), High School Days (33/1), Icario (33/1), Tara Dylan (33/1), Tigris River (50/1)

Low Sun was impressive in scoring at Fairyhouse a week ago but that run appeared to take connections by surprise and he's perhaps vulnerable now under an 8lb hike. Joey Sasa has the form to be in the mix and warmed up with an AW win, while stablemate Dis Donc comes into the equation after a fine effort on handicap debut last time out at Navan. That form also bodes well for TOP TEN, who beat the Meade runner in winning a maiden hurdle at Down Royal in November and is potentially on a decent mark here. Similar comments apply to the filly Pietralunga on her handicap debut for the Mullins team while Articulum is given a chance back down in journey.