13:55 Fairyhouse

Wednesday 14 November 2018

All12:2012:5013:2513:5514:3015:0015:35

Christmas Parties At Fairyhouse December 15th Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:58 | Winning time: 3m 52.30s

Batts Rock^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

5/6

Three-time winner on the Flat. Built on promise of hurdles bow (not foot-perfect) when third to Brace Yourself in a maiden at Down Royal last time, and will take all the beating with a repeat.

Form: 23

Steel Cap^h¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

14/1

Won on bumper debut at Kilbeggan, so very disappointing that he's shown so little in three subsequent starts over hurdles, for all the likelihood is that he will do better when getting a handicap mark to exploit.

Form: 1599

Trump Card^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Dwyer

8/1

Mixed bag on the Flat this year, but got in as a reserve at Navan (1m6f) last time, and beat 21 opponents in what was admittedly a weakish handicap. Much more needed back over hurdles now.

Form: 4/9-0

Chef Afef

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead

12/1

Son of Ask out of a modest 2m hurdle winner representing a top yard. Worth noting on Rules debut for signs of confidence.

Form:

Kilcolgan Rocket

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: S J Mahon

33/1

By Scorpion out of an unraced mare. Yard currently struggling for form, and this gelding makes limited appeal for that reason.

Form:

Melly And Me⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade

5/1

Making his debut for this yard when beaten a head at Kilbeggan (2m, good) before another promising run when second in a Sligo maiden hurdle. Not himself last time, and place claims if bouncing back.

Form: F8-224

Quick Getaway²⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss M McGuinness

50/1

Looked quite a slow Getaway on sole bumper start a year ago, and pulled up in a point-to-point subsequently.

Form: 8P-

Rock Road⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe

9/2

Second to ill-fated Fayonagh over C&D last October, and off for a long time before a creditable fifth of 11 to Monbeg Worldwide over 2m4f here last week. Claims if he doesn't bounce from that effort.

Form: 05P29-5

Ballybeggan Peggy¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: A E Lynch| T: A Murray

50/1

Beaten a long way on two starts 5 months apart, and looks limited on early evidence.

Form: 00

Knockatoo Hill¹²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: M J Bolger| T: P Cluskey

66/1

Tailed off in a bumper at Wexford last spring, and failed to beat a rival on hurdles bow at Limerick in July. No appeal.

Form: 0/0

Piccolo Milano

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: D McDonogh

25/1

Daughter of Milan out of a full-sister to Galway Hurdle winner Bahrain Storm, but cost just €800 as a 3-y-o, and only of interest if attracting support.

Form:

Forecasts

Batts Rock (5/6), Rock Road (9/2), Melly And Me (5/1), Trump Card (8/1), Chef Afef (12/1), Steel Cap (14/1), Piccolo Milano (25/1), Kilcolgan Rocket (33/1), Ballybeggan Peggy (50/1), Quick Getaway (50/1), Knockatoo Hill (66/1)

BATTS ROCK is still learning the ropes over hurdles, but he was a good third in a deeper contest at Down Royal last time, and should have too many guns for these rivals, the best of which appears to be Melly And Me, notwithstanding a poor run when last seen. Rock Road could be a bigger threat given his second to Fayonagh over C&D last year, but this comes pretty quickly after his comeback effort, and there's a chance he'll bounce as a result.