19:20 Limerick

Thursday 26 July 2018

All17:4018:1518:5019:2019:5020:2520:55

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 19:21 | Winning time: 6m 5.1s

Running In Heels^t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 106| CD

10/3

Came from an unpromising position to score at Bellewstown and followed up over fences a week later. She needs a career best to win this but that is possible given her current rate of progress.

Form: 142911

Whatever It Takes^t,v⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N Bashford⁽⁷⁾| T: N Madden| OR: 106

33/1

Easy winner at Kilbeggan a year ago but he has been poor on both hurdling starts since. Rider still seeking his first winner and owner has a more obvious option.

Form: 10/917-P

Carrigready^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: V Halley| OR: 104

9/2

First past the post in October and then awarded another race at Tramore in April. Those victories came on heavy ground and he needs to prove his effectiveness on ground as quick as forecast.

Form: 2-05374

North Carolina²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109

7/1

Beaten a long way by Stormy Ireland last time but the subsequent efforts of the third and fourth make him look reasonably treated. Stepping up greatly in distance which is a concern given his brother failed to stay 2m4f.

Form: 502-

Batchelors Walk^t1⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: M Phelan| OR: 99| D

33/1

This year's point-to-point form, including one victory, amounts to little but confirms a preference for a sound surface. Fairly weighted judged on last season's hurdling exploits but he is still 0-20 under rules.

Form: P43-15B

Kalamkan^t,v¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: T G McCourt| OR: 97

18/1

Yet to make the frame in 15 career starts under both codes. Was threatening to break that duck last time when falling two out in a race won by Running In Heels, but he still looks held by that rival.

Form: 465-06F

Wee Tiger^b,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr E P O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hackett| OR: 96| C

7/4

Improved effort last week when allowed an easy lead. The third won by 15L last week and he looks booked for another uncontested lead here.

Form: 40-0831

Famous Day^t1¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 89

20/1

Looks held by Wee Tiger on recent form here over 2m6f and hard to see an extra quarter-mile in a tongue-tie making that much difference.

Form: F5-5696

State Of The Art^b1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 97

10/1

Yet to produce a performance to match his illustrious pedigree and it is usually an ominous sign when headgear is fitted to Galleo's progeny.

Form: 608-0

Non-Runners

Fred The Foot¹¹⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: J C McConnell J: J M Moore

Forecasts

Wee Tiger (7/4), Running In Heels (10/3), Carrigready (9/2), Fred The Foot (13/2), North Carolina (7/1), State Of The Art (10/1), Kalamkan (18/1), Famous Day (20/1), Whatever It Takes (33/1), Batchelors Walk (33/1)

North Carolina looks the most intriguing of the McManus trio as he makes his handicap debut off what appears a fair mark judged by those who finished closest to him when Stormy Ireland routed his opponents at Fairyhouse. The market should be informative but it seems wise to go with the proven wellbeing and stamina of Running In Heels and WEE TIGER. The former has been on the upgrade lately but a 6lb rise for a hard fought Bellewstown success makes her more vulnerable. The selection relished the quick conditions and an easy lead to score last time. Conditions will be similar here and he has not been punished too harshly by the handicapper.

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Non-Runners

Forecasts

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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Non-Runners

Forecasts

Verdict

Prize Money

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RACING TIPS

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