15:00 Navan

Sunday 25 November 2018

All12:0012:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Proudstown Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 5m 41.70s

Tigris River^t¹¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 143

16/1

Five-time winner in this sphere, though not since August 2017. Didn't appear to give his running when last spotted in the Galway Hurdle. Not dismissed off a short break, though must prove himself at the trip.

Form: 0P06-50

De Name Escapes Me^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: N Meade| OR: 138

3/1

Comfortable winner at Naas (2m4f, good to yielding) on reappearance recently, should have more to come and no concerns going back up in distance. Leading contender despite 8lb rise.

Form: 340P3-1

Prince Garyantle^p,t¹⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 133

25/1

Won decent handicap at Punchestown in April over 2m5f, though is now rated 12lb higher and hasn't done much since including chasing and on Flat. Reverts to hurdles on first start since June and capable fresh.

Form: 1810-33

Walk To Freedom^h,t1¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 131| C

20/1

Had been off the track for the thick end of 500-days prior to recent Naas run, so entitled to strip much fitter now. Market may guide expectations in this competitive heat.

Form: 2144/5-0

Westland Row^t⁴⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

16/1

Must defy a 15-month absence to score here, trainer well capable of having him primed for the big day however and worth noting in the betting as such.

Form: 221010-

Edelpour²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A Fleming| OR: 126

6/1

Ex-Dermot Weld and 97-rated on the Flat, has shown aptitude for hurdling in three starts and now tackles a handicap for the first time, interesting runner.

Form: 2-23

High Sparrow^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 126

3/1

Consistent hurdler so far, competitive in all three handicaps off this sort of mark. Likely to give another decent account though may need to find a bit more to win.

Form: 1123-34

Pass The Ball³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: N P Madden| T: N Madden| OR: 126

12/1

Winner over 3m at Gowran Park last time out over timber and up 7lb for his troubles. Stays further and will relish this if it turns into a grind.

Form: 4-91131

Salty Boy¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 126

7/1

Couldn't have been more impressive in disposing of odds-on Gigginstown rival to win Clonmel maiden hurdle last time (2m3½f, good). Handicapper taking no chances with opening mark, but there could be mileage in him.

Form: 1-3431

Air Supremacy¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 127

20/1

Ex-Ballydoyle, won first two over hurdles at up to 2m4f but well held both starts since, including when 32L behind De Name Escapes Me at Naas last time, questions to be answered now.

Form: 1150

Hareth²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: A E Lynch| T: C Byrnes| OR: 123| C

8/1

Landed a decent pot here in January (2m4f, heavy) and generally consistent hurdler. Rated 8lb higher today though and could not have been less impressive in two autumn runs. Needs big bounce back.

Form: 6172-00

Jimmy Breekie^t1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 122| C

33/1

Well beaten over 2m on reappearance and surely has it all to prove on figures amongst these rivals, passed over.

Form: 64365-0

Nobody Home²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 113

33/1

Fair hurdler but poor strike-rate (2-25 in this sphere) and would be a shock if he landed this reverting from fences last time.

Form: 4-79848

Non-Runners

Rain In Spain¹³

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: C O'Brien J: Rachael Blackmore

Forecasts

De Name Escapes Me (3/1), High Sparrow (3/1), Edelpour (6/1), Salty Boy (7/1), Hareth (8/1), Rain In Spain (10/1), Pass The Ball (12/1), Tigris River (16/1), Westland Row (16/1), Walk To Freedom (20/1), Air Supremacy (20/1), Prince Garyantle (25/1), Jimmy Breekie (33/1), Nobody Home (33/1)

De Name Escapes Me was impressive when scoring at Naas on his return and is much-respected here despite his ratings-rise. Barry Geraghty has interestingly gone for Tigris River however, and he could leave his poor Galway run behind. Westland Row is worth a betting check despite his absence, while Conor Orr's claim should see Prince Garyantle in the mix given he goes well fresh. SALTY BOY was impressive in his Clonmel maiden win recently and while an opening mark of 126 is far easy, he has scope to defy it and could well do so for Mags Mullins. Handicap debutant Edelpour and the thriving mare Rain In Spain complete an extensive shortlist.