16:15 Tramore

Sunday 19 August 2018

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:1516:5017:20

McCarthys Irish Bar, Lexington Handicap Chase (0-123)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 5m 31.10s

Tikkanen Express^h¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: J Dullea| OR: 123

20/1

Beaten and generally well held in a couple of hurdle spins recently, the Tikkanen gelding won on chasing debut over 12-months ago in a Limerick beginners contest. Beaten on a couple of occasions since over the larger obstacles and may struggle here.

Form: 01/34-03

Baily Moon^t,v1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: J S McGarvey| T: M F Morris| OR: 122

50/1

Two from 13 over fences with last victory coming over 12-months ago. Well held since and first time visor less likely to bring about the required amount of progression needed to land a blow here.

Form: 9P-5P0F

Na Trachtalai Abu^h,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: D F O'Regan| T: J Motherway| OR: 119| D

9/1

Failed to build on a couple of promising runs over the larger obstacles in June when finishing down the field in a Kilbeggan 3m1f handicap chase last month before promising run at the Galway festival latest.

Form: 0-13366

Ballyegan Hero²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 118| C

7/1

Course winner that has also won over the trip. Out of form in five starts since April and is opposable on recent form.

Form: 670-85U

Justmemyselfandi^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 116

17/2

Returned to form in his second handicap chase start at Tipperary last month finishing runner-up behind William Du Berlais who was subsequently well beaten on his next start. Doesn't appear entirely genuine.

Form: F37-292

Theatre Dreams²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 109

8/1

11-race maiden hurdler who got off the mark at the first time of asking over the larger obstacles in a 2m4f beginners contest last month. More on here but yard among the winners this week.

Form: 90-0801

Stonehall Jack⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: K J Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: D E Fitzgerald| OR: 107| C

33/1

C&D winner who has also placed here on a further two occasions but losing run goes back over 12-months and there is plenty more needed in this group.

Form: 6R-44P0

Mill Quest^t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 105| D

10/11

Distance winner who has been in fine form over hurdles winning three of his last five starts. Without a win in six for previous handler but will be open to plenty of improvement here for leading stable at the meeting in the last four years.

Form: 411421

Aughnacurraveel⁷⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 10-7| J: A E Lynch| T: T Cummins| OR: 104| C

50/1

Popular and game veteran who is regressing of late. Modest in the point-to-point ranks and is a lowly rated 104 over fences.

Form: 256/4-43

Gunfire Reef⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 97

6/1

Six-race chase maiden and well held on most recent starts at Downpatrick in May and June. Hard to fancy on latest evidence.

Form: 2P0/7-3F

Non-Runners

Roevin Star²

Weight: 9-10| Age: 8

T: E Doyle J: A Ring

Forecasts

Mill Quest (10/11), Gunfire Reef (6/1), Ballyegan Hero (7/1), Theatre Dreams (8/1), Justmemyselfandi (17/2), Na Trachtalai Abu (9/1), Roevin Star (12/1), Tikkanen Express (20/1), Stonehall Jack (33/1), Aughnacurraveel (50/1), Baily Moon (50/1)

The excellent record of the Gordon Elliott yard is difficult to get away from with the stable boasting a 43% win and place strike at this meeting since 2014 and his MILL QUEST can get off the mark here over the larger obstacles at the seventh time of asking following a number of solid runs over hurdles. Justmemyselfandi, last time out winner, Theatre Dreams and Na Trachtalai Abu can battle for the minors.