14:55 Killarney

Thursday 19 July 2018

All13:5014:2514:5515:2515:5516:2516:55

Europe Hotel & Resort Handicap Hurdle (80-102)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 3.6s

Balinaboola Steel^b²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: G J Power| OR: 101

4/1

13-race maiden, comes here after uninspiring efforts at Tipperary (handicap) and Ballinrobe (maiden) over 2m4f this term before a fall at Gowran Park in a handicap last time. Was in the process of running big race there however and chance on repeat.

Form: 560-50F

Naturally Blond^p,t³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Phillip Enright| T: Patrick Cronin| OR: 99

7/1

Landed second hurdle win of his career in a Wexford handicap, ridden to lead at the last keeping on well under pressure to beat 13 rivals earlier this month but disappointing twice since - fell at Roscommon / unseated here. Chance if getting around.

Form: 7-F01FU

Clonard Street^t⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: A J Martin| OR: 97

8/1

Modest hurdler, unplaced in six starts in maiden/handicap company, though perhaps still haven't seen the best of him and entitled to have needed the run at Clonmel in May.

Form: 80078/0

Feeling The Love^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 97

2/1

Two good efforts this season (from four) have been over 2m on good ground, including nine days ago at Roscommon when second in a handicap on good ground. Entitled to be in the firing line with repeat effort.

Form: 6P-3002

Icelip^t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 95

9/1

Plenty of spark still in the veteran as shown by his 4¼L defeat of nine rivals in a Tramore handicap chase last month. Not as good since at Wexford, switches to hurdles from 5lb lower mark.

Form: 90-9313

Athloman Cottage³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: D Duggan| OR: 94

12/1

Just 1-14 over hurdles, scoring last summer at Tramore. Fair effort last month at Roscommon (2m, good) off this mark and cannot be dismissed too hastily.

Form: 1087-74

Grey Atlantic Way⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: E Linehan| OR: 92

8/1

Stepped up on previous form at Wexford (2m, good) in May when 7L fourth of 14 but reverted to type since at Listowel in early June. Hard to be overly enthusiastic.

Form: 6/030-40

Aimee Kate^t1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: R Loughran| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 86

25/1

Has hit the frame on one occasion in five hurdle starts and has largely been well held on each start. First time tongue-tie unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 6082-00

Beale Beach²⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 86

14/1

Well beaten in a number of second-rate maiden hurdle performances for this yard in late 2016/2017 and hard to be confident off 205-day absence.

Form: 69075/P-

Loose Chippings^h,t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: P D Kennedy| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 91

25/1

Failed to improve on handicap debut sporting first-time tongue strap when tenth of 16 at Cork (2m, good to firm) six days ago. Others have more appeal.

Form: 07P-60

Ballyhubbock^t³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J S McGarvey| T: F J Flood| OR: 87

50/1

Struggled in three starts to date at Cork and here twice last month and hard to fancy unless market suggests otherwise.

Form: 000

Jimmy's Choice^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 81

25/1

Had looked a little overwhelmed in three maiden hurdle starts since February and managed only eighth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Tramore (2m, good to firm) last month. Improvement needed.

Form: 0009/68

Non-Runners

Cloneen Lady¹³

Weight: 10-4| Age: 9

T: J Beamish J: S G McDermott

Forecasts

Feeling The Love (2/1), Balinaboola Steel (4/1), Naturally Blond (7/1), Grey Atlantic Way (8/1), Clonard Street (8/1), Icelip (9/1), Athloman Cottage (12/1), Beale Beach (14/1), Jimmy's Choice (25/1), Loose Chippings (25/1), Aimee Kate (25/1), Cloneen Lady (25/1), Ballyhubbock (50/1)

Balinaboola Steel was in the process of mounting a strong challenge at Gowran Park in a handicap last time before he came to grief, while recent Wexford winner Naturally Blond has failed to complete in both starts since. Both have their claims, assuming no accidents. FEELING THE LOVE went well in second at Roscommon this month and ought to be capable of a challenge from 3lb higher now. Athloman Cottage may improve on a fair seasonal reappearance at Roscommon and could make the frame.