18:15 Wexford

Wednesday 23 May 2018

All17:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Slaney Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:28 | Winning time: 3m 47.30s

Mr Picotee^p,t⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: V Halley| OR: 120| CD

5/1

Showed much improved form at Clonmel (2m3½f, good) last time when just getting caught close home. Drop back in trip on that evidence may be a good move and will be a player if in the same mood having won this race last year.

Form: U0998-2

The King Of Brega⁷⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 118| D

25/1

Successful three times over hurdles most recently on good ground at Downpatrick over an extended 2m6f in June last year. Probably needed the comeback run and has again been given time between races. This may be on the sharp side.

Form: 810059-

Le Vagabond^h¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 115| D

2/1

Decent performer on the flat ran well at Leopardstown in that sphere 10 days ago. Not as good over hurdles but clearly should be capable off this sort of mark if on a going day.

Form: 6410/9P-

Ronava¹⁸⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: R A Cotter| OR: 114| CD

33/1

Returns from six months off the track and was struggling over fences when last seen. This ground will suit and he's been given a chance by the handicapper so market check needed on return.

Form: 8740F8-

The Birdie Crowe^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 112| D

5/1

Been highly tried in this sphere of late and has been well beaten. This is much more suitable and it would be no surprise to see a better showing. Tongue tie left off this time but cheekpieces retained.

Form: 42748F-

Killiney Court^t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 111

25/1

Clearly has more ability as a chaser than a hurdler and races off a much lower mark here. Hurdles form does not inspire much in a race of this nature however and others far more likely.

Form: UU660-P

Quamino^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 109| CD

7/1

Been in terrific from since winning over C&D back in March. Now 12lbs higher than for that first win and this better ground poses a different question but clearly in rude health and should be taken seriously.

Form: 07012-2

Weather Watch²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 109| D

50/1

Unconvincing sort for Jessica Harrington having failed to build on Tipperary maiden hurdle win success in 2016. Out of form over fences when last spotted and tough ask here for new handler.

Form: 8709FP-

Alcander^t⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: I J McCarthy| T: F J Flood| OR: 105

25/1

Been in decent form on the All Weather at Dundalk of late. Would have a squeak off this sort of mark if able to transfer that flat form over timber and market check is needed.

Form: 63370/5-

Touch Of Gold^h,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: M Kennedy| OR: 105| D

20/1

Form has been a bit in-and-out under both codes of late. Still 5lbs higher than last hurdles victory and may find this tough going. Better form tends to come with some cut in the ground but does handle todays conditions.

Form: 610166-

Mezajy^b³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 103| D

10/1

Has improved over hurdles of late winning twice and has gone up 11lb in the process. Better conditions here today will suit and cannot be discounted if back to his best.

Form: 921018-

Lady In Lavender^h¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J J Walsh| OR: 108| D

16/1

Improved for the switch to handicaps the last twice. Not sure the step up to 2m4f helped when falling latest and this drop back in trip looks a good move. Likely player once again in a tough heat.

Form: 80R13-F

Nulife^b⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 99| CD

11/1

C&D winner who is capable of this sort of mark. First hurdles run for a while when jumping left at Clonmel latest and will need to brush up in that department. Another in with a squeak in a wide open affair.

Form: 38/714-8

Forecasts

Le Vagabond (2/1), Mr Picotee (5/1), The Birdie Crowe (5/1), Quamino (7/1), Mezajy (10/1), Nulife (11/1), Lady In Lavender (16/1), Touch Of Gold (20/1), Killiney Court (25/1), The King Of Brega (25/1), Alcander (25/1), Ronava (33/1), Weather Watch (50/1)

A tough contest and you can make a case for several. Mr Picotee went close at Clonmel last week and the drop in trip looks a good move for him having won this race last year. Mezajy has been in good form of late and can be a force once again now back on better ground. Any kind of market support for Alcander would be interesting and should be noted. Slight preference is for LADY IN LAVENDER who will appreciate this step back in trip and can get back to winning ways off a fair mark.