18:30 Cork

Friday 4 May 2018

All16:4517:2017:5518:3019:0519:4020:15

Mallow Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:31 | Winning time: 5m 30.06s

Deor⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: J E Kiely| OR: 120| C

12/1

Takes a drop in class here after finishing well beaten at Punchestown a fortnight ago, but hasn't been in any greta form for a while now and this trip probably far enough too. Others make more appeal.

Form: 14800-

Rooster Byron²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Kevin Sexton| T: P Nolan| OR: 120

5/2

Been in superb form, and found the step up to 3m no issue at all when running right away from Spancil Hill (ran well earlier in week) and the rest at Limerick last time. 12lb rise for that but in such rude health, has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 02/9-211

Ask Susan¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Nicholson| OR: 119

20/1

Useful on the Flat and has run well against the likes of classy Coquin Mans and Max Dynamite but not seen out since injuring herself in December. Likely to need this after enforced absence.

Form: 15362P-

Jack The Wire¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 117

10/1

Twice a winner over hurdles and not disgraced in a recent warm-up on the Flat, but this trip looks likely to stretch his stamina. May be happier on slightly better ground as well, so plenty to prove here.

Form: 8P275P-

Seskinane²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr E Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: B McMahon| OR: 117| D

14/1

Veteran had looked to have found his level again but did come good at Ballinrobe oin latest start over slightly further. Up 6lb for that which, at his age, makes life harder, so needs a bit more.

Form: 0-33341

Chateauneuf Du Pap⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 116

4/1

Has found the winning touch this year, taking two of his last three, and found for pressure when scoring at Limerick latest. Going the right way now and despite 6lb rise in the weights, is one to consider.

Form: 462-1F1

Inch Rise^p⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: W J Burke| OR: 116| C

33/1

Only win in 19 starts came here over 3m, so track is fine an he won't fail for a lack of stamina, but recent efforts have been lacking and others come here in better form.

Form: 035355-

Nikodam^t1¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 112

33/1

First start for new yard, more letters than numbers in form from last year, which is never a good thing. Tongue-tied today but hard to know what to expect, so best watched unless market says otherwise.

Form: 0/F2FFP-

Courtncatcher²⁰⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Duffy| OR: 108| C| D

22/1

Got to go back to 2016 to find his last win, and hasn't been seen out since last October when again well beaten. Hard to enthuse over and others preferred.

Form: 37459B-

Goaheadmakemyday^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: T Foley| OR: 105| BF| D

10/1

Often well backed and did come good at Punchestown in January, latest effort below par but has a ready excuse as he was found lame after. Needs to get back on track now but conditions look fine, so that's a possibility.

Form: 4/64138-

Global Fert^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney| OR: 104

4/1

Back to form after a break when second at Fairyhouse latest, outrunning his 20/1 odds in the process. Conditions clearly fine and this is a bit easier, may improve a bit more (lightly raced) so has every chance again here.

Form: 0/74102-

Lady In Lavender^h⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Phillip Enright| T: J J Walsh| OR: 108

12/1

Was in good form when last seen and a very respectable third on handicap debut at Punchestown in January. Not seen since then, and this trip an unknown, but young enough to improve and another to look at in a tricky event.

Form: 480R13-

Forecasts

Rooster Byron (5/2), Chateauneuf Du Pap (4/1), Global Fert (4/1), Goaheadmakemyday (10/1), Jack The Wire (10/1), Deor (12/1), Lady In Lavender (12/1), Seskinane (14/1), Ask Susan (20/1), Courtncatcher (22/1), Inch Rise (33/1), Nikodam (33/1)

This looks pretty open and it's hard to discount many. GLOBAL FERT has only had a handful on meaningful starts and despite being eight might have a bit more to come, and his latest effort at Fairyhouse indicated he's still going the right way. This looks an ideal test and he can score again. Rooster Byron is winning with plenty in hand and looks an obvious danger, with the lightly-weighted Lady In Lavender another likely improver.