14:35 Killarney

Saturday 25 August 2018

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Dunloe Hotel & Gardens Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 5m 21.8s

Babbling Stream^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133

9/1

Winner of two of his last three starts the latest coming in a Downpatrick 2m3f hurdle earlier this month. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: 0-30141

Attribution^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 130

25/1

Will have disappointed leading connections in a series of dismal displays over the larger obstacles recently. One from five over hurdles and worth a market check back over timber.

Form: 315-03P

Master Appeal⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: J E Kiely| OR: 128| BF

14/1

Beaten favourite last time out in a Tramore chase earlier this month over 2m6f on good ground. Not seen over a hurdle since 2016 and is four from 26 but may not be one to trust on return.

Form: 63-1245

Court Artist²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 126

6/1

Pulled-up behind stablemate Meri Devie at Punchestown before finishing a promising fifth of 20 beaten 24L at the Galway festival in a handicap hurdle earlier this month. Needs to improve if landing a blow here.

Form: 1303P-5

Gran Geste²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Geraghty| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 125

8/1

Has failed to build on maiden hurdle win over 2m in a Navan contest in December with a series of disappointing performances since including pulling up earlier this month at the Galway festival. Others preferred.

Form: 11550-P

Kilkishen²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 123| D

14/1

Distance winner of a Down Royal hurdle in May 2016 off a similar mark. Out of form since and this looks a tall order.

Form: FF3B3/5

Miss Eyecatcher²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D J Mullins| T: R J McGrath| OR: 121

12/1

127-rated chaser who was disappointing in two Galway festival runs recently. Last seen over hurdles back in February with her last win over timber more than 12-months ago off a 6lb lower mark. Very little to be positive about.

Form: 59-65U0

Lasoscar¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: D F O'Regan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 119| CD

5/1

Winner of this race over C&D 12-months ago off a 7lb lower mark. Has basically held form without winning over hurdles since and can grab a place here.

Form: 3F-4231

Smitty Bacall⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Paul Townend| T: J R Barry| OR: 118

8/1

Has finished in the firs three of four of his last five starts over hurdles since May and hold definite place claims here.

Form: 3-23102

Lizzies Champ^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: P G Kelly| OR: 117| C

11/2

Course winner who has been in good form since June including a win in a 3m½f handicap hurdle at the Galway festival earlier this month beating 18 rivals 1¼L. Has the form to make another bold bid here.

Form: 46P-221

The Major General^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S A Shortall⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109

15/2

Vast improvement shown on last seasons form when finishing a promising fifth of 20 beaten 4¾L at the Galway festival recently in a 2m½f handicap hurdle. Improvement expected here.

Form: 08855-5

Draycott Place^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: D E Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 107| D

20/1

134-rated chaser and winner of two of his 35 hurdle starts. May struggle on these terms and others hold stronger profiles.

Form: 16146F

Non-Runners

Small World³²

Weight: 10-13| Age: 7

T: Peter Fahey J: Jack Kennedy

Forecasts

Lasoscar (5/1), Small World (11/2), Lizzies Champ (11/2), Court Artist (6/1), The Major General (15/2), Smitty Bacall (8/1), Gran Geste (8/1), Babbling Stream (9/1), Miss Eyecatcher (12/1), Master Appeal (14/1), Kilkishen (14/1), Draycott Place (20/1), Attribution (25/1)

LASCOCAR has held his form that saw the Oscar gelding land the spoils in this contest 12-months ago and the Liam Cusack-trained 11-year-old comes here off the back of a 2¾L in a Kilbeggan handicap chase earlier this month. The Peter Fahy-trained Small World can give the selection the most to think about in the closing stages, while last time out winner, Lizzies Champ, Court Artist from the Willie Mullins yard and top weight Babbling Stream all deserve consideration.