ITBA Northern Region Supporting Local Racecourses Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 4m 32.6s

Alnahar³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: N McKnight

66/1

Beaten by 66L and 31L in two maiden hurdles so far. Plenty of improvement needed to be involved here.

Form: 00

Fontainbleau^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe

25/1

Runner-up on hurdling debut at Sligo back in July. Struggled at Galway next time. Winner on the flat since (off a mark of 53) needs much more to be involved here.

Form: 29

Star Maker⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 111

10/3

Well held in three maiden hurdles and only fared slightly better on handicap debut at Navan last time. This is a fairly weak contest and wouldn't have to find a great deal to play a major role.

Form: 43-66

Koroleva⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

9/2

Bumper winner who has been a beaten favourite a couple of times in similar events to this over hurdles. Only beaten 2L in a big field at Clonmel last time and a reproduction of that would put her right in the thick of things.

Form: 5-61244

Kellyiscool⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: C Byrnes| OR: 114| BF

4/7

Still a maiden but has been running well. Almost off the mark at Galway in a big field handicap two starts back when going down just a neck. Another good effort when third there next time. Those efforts set the standard in this field will go well

Form: 44-323

Rising^t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: N C Kelly

33/1

A maiden on the flat after 10 attempts but there have been some good efforts in that sphere. Hurdling debut today and will be on the premises if taking to timber.

Form:

Klassy Kay¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin

50/1

Best effort in bumpers came at Downpatrick when third of 10 beaten 14L. Needs to improve for hurdles now on first start for new yard.

Form: 7-30

Forecasts

Kellyiscool (4/7), Star Maker (10/3), Koroleva (9/2), Fontainbleau (25/1), Rising (33/1), Klassy Kay (50/1), Alnahar (66/1)

A weak race to kick things off and this looks a good opportunity for KELLYISCOOL to get off the mark over hurdles. Having run two crackers in big field handicaps the last twice he should find this much easier. Koroleva will be a major danger if putting her best foot forward.