Irish National Stud Handicap Hurdle (80-116)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 50.40s

Silver Star^t⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 12-4| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 116| BF| D

5/2

Rewarded for recent consistency when winning at Downpatrick (2m2½f, soft) five days ago, carries a penalty for that success but booking of Conor Orr means he still on good terms and looks to go well again.

Form: 632131

Conron¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 115| CD

4/1

Scored a maiden hurdle win over 2m here in May, well held in all starts since but worth a try over this longer trip and wouldn't run out place claims.

Form: 13594

Billy's Angel^t1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: A E Lynch| T: A Murray| OR: 108

7/1

Best performances for some time in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle over 2m in August when close second, pulled up since on soft ground at Listowel, goes up in journey here. Tongue tie added.

Form: 34602P

Thomas O'Malley^p,t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J R Finn| OR: 109

25/1

Winner of yielding to soft ground Listowel handicap last month over 2m, bookended by pair of runner-up finishes on the Flat. Mark in this sphere gone up 7lb, out in trip and should remain competitive.

Form: 2734-F

Bay Hill^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 104| D

7/4

Winless in seven attempts over jumps, with little to get excited about on form. May need some more relief from the assessor before becoming a betting proposition.

Form: 3530-61

Make It Hurrah⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 105

9/1

Two starts over hurdles for this trainer have yielded a fall at Cork and a Tramore performance characterised by poor jumping, both in maidens. Need to see improve jumping before supporting.

Form: 730-978

Forecasts

Bay Hill (7/4), Silver Star (5/2), Conron (4/1), Billy's Angel (7/1), Make It Hurrah (9/1), Thomas O'Malley (25/1)

SILVER STAR had the measure of his rivals at Downpatrick five days ago and while he concedes a penalty for that win, Conor Orr's claim could prove very useful in helping him double up. Bay Hill has been in good form on the Flat either side of a hurdles success at Listowel last month and should go well again. Going up in distance, Conron might be best of the remainder.