17:30 Tipperary

Thursday 10 May 2018

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Hotel Minella Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 4m 4.90s

Art World^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: D Duggan

100/1

Lowly flat performer that was rated just 45 in that sphere. 100/1 for hurdling debut and always struggling. Best watched for now.

Form: P-

Be My Dan⁶⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: D M O'Brien| D

33/1

Won on bumper debut back in 2016. Makes belated hurdling debut today after over 600 days off the track suggesting there have been some issues. Clearly had ability though and market check is advised.

Form: 16/

Optical Confusion^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: M Butler

50/1

Improved steadily in bumpers winning at Killarney in August. Hurdling debut was very underwhelming when last seen six months ago. That was a stronger contest than this, but needs major improvement all the same.

Form: P/R4210-

Papal Motel^h1²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: A McNamara| OR: 111

8/1

Dual purpose performer that has had a few spins on the AW at Dundalk of late. Has plenty of hurdling experience and will need to put that to good use here. Likely to find a couple of these too good.

Form: 220P34-

Prince D'Aubrelle⁹⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| CD

10/11

Smart bumper performer. Racked up a quick hat-trick of wins when last seen back in 2015. Clearly had some issues as he's not been seen for 949 days. Still if he's been primed for this reappearance he will be dangerous for top yard.

Form: 22111/

Bothar Dubh²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: D Queally

66/1

Related to ex-top French hurdler Questarabad, Whisper and Traffic Fluide. First two hurdles runs have been poor and much more is needed if he is to play a part. Handicaps maybe the plan on the back of this.

Form: 09-

Buck A Trend³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: J Dullea

20/1

Best effort to date came at Limerick (2m, heavy) back in March when finishing a good second. Poor effort back in a bumper next time and difficult to know what to expect after that. Capable of being involved on a going day.

Form: U03727-

Difficult Decision⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan

66/1

Two runs in maiden hurdles so far have suggested that further is very much needed and likely to be more of a chaser than a hurdler. Probably best watched for now.

Form: F2/9-3

Doyoucomehereoften

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M Hourigan

66/1

Arakan gelding. Dam was un-raced half sister to Group winner Tropical Lady out of smart hurdler Tropical Lake. Jumpers in the family so a market check is probably needed for racecourse debut.

Form:

It's Only A Number²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: F J Flood

7/1

Vastly improved and well backed when second at Ballinrobe (2m2f, heavy) on most recent start. Chances once again if able to build on that effort. Drop back to 2m is a slight concern.

Form: 77P2-

Meet The Man⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Grace

100/1

Very little promise on two hurdles starts to date. Sent off 100/1 latest and beaten a very long way. Can't be considered until showing much more and likely to find this tough.

Form: 0-9

Ozzie's Way¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan

16/1

Well beaten in all three point-to-points and a similar story in bumpers. Goes hurdling but chances are this trip is going to be on the sharp side and maybe seen to better effect over further/fences.

Form: 65/6358-

Rare Conor⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney

7/2

Has improved for the switch to hurdles and ran well when trying to make all at Navan (2m, heavy) last time. Good chance he will try and dominate this filed from the front and must be respected.

Form: 2F56/44-

Sherryorport⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Loughran| T: J R Barry

100/1

Has been beaten 68L on both hurdling starts to date. Vast improvement will be needed to take a hand in this today and it is likely that handicaps will see him in a much better light further down the line.

Form: 040-0

Templemary Boy¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: I J McCarthy| T: P W Flynn

50/1

Average flat performer who is rated just 46. Makes hurdling debut today. Stayed 1m pretty well on the flat so chances are he will get the trip ok but needs to take a big step forward for hurdling to be involved.

Form:

Tias¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P F Mangan| T: W J Burke

100/1

Big prices and beaten a long way on two hurdles runs to date. Related to some smart types including Simply Ned and early days to be writing him off just yet. May need more time and a fence to be competitive.

Form: 0-9

Tidal River⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: A Mullins

40/1

Flemensfirth gelding out of a Buckskin mare related to Tidal Bay. Looked green and in need of the experience in two bumpers to date. Likely to improve for jumping but probably best watched on hurdling debut.

Form: 58-

Mama Tried²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: Charlie Keegan

100/1

Beaten a ling way in two bumpers and on hurdling debut last time. Needs to do much more to be involved in the finish. Hard to make any kind of case for.

Form: 075-

Ninja Nelly¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: C Bowe

50/1

Yeats gelding who is related to several jumping winners. Plenty of promise in his point-to-point runs and makes rules debut today. This trip is likely to be on the sharp side though and is sure to want further in time. Interesting newcomer.

Form: 23-P

Semper Fidelis

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Robbie Colgan| T: W J McLernon

100/1

Shantou gelding that cost €14,000 as a three-year-old. Dam was fairly useful on the flat and over hurdles winning over 2m-2m4f. Makes racecourse debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

Balisko⁴⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: N Meade J: Reserve 1

Magnium⁴⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: A J Martin J: Reserve 2

Around The Block⁸⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: F J Flood J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Prince D'Aubrelle (10/11), Rare Conor (7/2), It's Only A Number (7/1), Papal Motel (8/1), Ozzie's Way (16/1), Buck A Trend (20/1), Magnium (20/1), Balisko (20/1), Be My Dan (33/1), Tidal River (40/1), Optical Confusion (50/1), Ninja Nelly (50/1), Templemary Boy (50/1), Difficult Decision (66/1), Bothar Dubh (66/1), Doyoucomehereoften (66/1), Meet The Man (100/1), Tias (100/1), Around The Block (100/1), Sherryorport (100/1), Mama Tried (100/1), Semper Fidelis (100/1), Art World (100/1)

This is nowhere near as competitive as the numbers may suggest. Second reserve Magnium would need a market check if he were to get a run. It’s Only A Number was well backed last time and showed improved form so is feared. Prince D’Aubrelle clearly had plenty of ability in bumpers when last seen and he is likely to be popular back from a long absence for his top yard. The selection though is RARE CONOR to make it third time lucky over hurdles. He has run well the last twice and this is a slightly weaker contest in which he can make all.