16:15 Gowran Park

Friday 5 October 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

McDonalds Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 4m 39.00s

St Lawrence Gap⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 124

6/1

Useful hurdler, has to have clear claims here having run well on the Flat over 2m at Tramore last time out. On the shortlist.

Form: U/172-25

Eight Till Late^p⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: Francis Casey| OR: 123| D

9/1

Consistent performer who has been in good form over hurdles and on the flat of late, before good second of eight in handicap chase at Sligo (2m1½f, good) last week. Entitled to go well back over timber.

Form: 0P-6332

The King Of Brega^p⁸⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: D Robinson⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 117

11/1

Has shown bits of promise over jumps but far from consistent so far, well held in 3m handicap at Roscommon latest and others preferred now dropped back in distance.

Form: 059-547

Water Sprite^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 117| C

10/1

In the mix last month in hurdles starts at Kilbeggan and Ballinrobe, both over this sort of trip on varying ground. Should go well again, though may settle for minor money at best.

Form: 40-5834

Jack Fiasco¹¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 116| D

10/1

Career-best when winning 24-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown over similar trip on good ground in June. Likely has plenty more to offer going handicapping and worth a close look.

Form: 7-071

You Can't Catch Me^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: A E Lynch| T: K Purcell| OR: 113| D

12/1

Latest hurdles win at Clonmel in June. Finished disappointing fifth of seven in handicap hurdle at Clonmel (2m4f, good to soft) 15 days ago, finding less than looked likely in the closing stages.

Form: 124355

Gold Seal^p,t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: E T Daly⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 117

5/1

Very consistent over 2m trips this season, winning three times, but didn't appear to get home on one previous try over 2m4f, so has stamina to prove now. In decent form.

Form: 133161

Apparition^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: S A Shortall| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112

10/1

Just the one hurdles success so far, coming in 2m Roscommon maiden last summer. Not far off at Clonmel (fourth) latest over this trip however in first-time blinkers (retained) and should give solid account.

Form: 3678-04

Draycott Place^t⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 105| D

14/1

Front-running sort, has been guilty of doing too much early on over fences recently. No win over hurdles since 2014 but re-enters this sphere from a much lower rating.

Form: F8PP64

Eiri Na Casca^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 104| D

14/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2017. Well held over fences recently and others make more appeal back in this sphere.

Form: 253087

Fleurys Fort^p,h⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: L Young| OR: 102| D

16/1

Gained fifth hurdles win of career at Sligo in July over this trip off a mark of 99, mixed bag since including when well beaten over fences last time. Cheekpieces back on now.

Form: 1554P4

Racing Stripes²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Moore| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 96

5/1

Ten-race maiden over timber, unable to justify favouritism at Down Royal (2m6f, good to firm) last month and likely to keep maiden tag again.

Form: 04/7730

Forecasts

Gold Seal (5/1), Racing Stripes (5/1), St Lawrence Gap (6/1), Eight Till Late (9/1), Apparition (10/1), Water Sprite (10/1), Jack Fiasco (10/1), The King Of Brega (11/1), You Can't Catch Me (12/1), Eiri Na Casca (14/1), Draycott Place (14/1), Fleurys Fort (16/1)

Gold Seal is enjoying a fine season, getting a valuable Listowel pot last month via the stewards' room having finished a close second. The winner boosted that form by scoring at Clonmel yesterday but Joseph O'Brien's charge does have a slight stamina concern to defy here. JACK FIASCO was overlooked in the betting but there was no fluke about his Punchestown maiden success in June and he makes appeal as the sort to do better now going handicapping. Top-weight St Lawrence Gap ran well on the Flat recently and isn't overlooked while Draycott Place must bounce back having lost his way over fences but does run from a much-reduced mark here.