13:25 Limerick

Friday 30 November 2018

All12:1512:5013:2513:5514:3015:0515:40

Fexco Asset Finance Handicap Hurdle (80-123)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 3m 59.20s

Laid Back Luke^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 122| D

14/1

Must put a poor run in the November Handicap at Naas recently behind him now back over timber. Still 7lb higher than previous hurdles winning mark and best form in this sphere over further.

Form: 1/4P19P-

Just Get Cracking¹⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: J Dullea| OR: 119| D

7/1

Versatile sort, has won over both hurdles and fences during the last 13 months. Last spotted finishing second at Tramore (2m, good) in August. 3lb higher in ratings now, but does have promising claimer taking burden off.

Form: 616-202

Gagas Horse⁴¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 116| CD

10/1

Former bumper winner has shown good form in three maiden hurdle starts to date. Returns from more than a year off for handicap bow, far from thrown in but trainer going well this season and needs a market check at worst.

Form: 2/13423-

Oscars Den^t¹⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: M J Stenson⁽⁷⁾| T: T M Walsh| OR: 116| D

16/1

Winner at Navan over the trip 12 months ago on testing going but hasn't really come close to matching the form since and is now heading for the veteran stages still rated 2lb higher than that winning mark.

Form: 71864-0

Antimatter^p1¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Duggan| OR: 112| D

8/1

Inconsistent sort is now 2-18 over hurdles. Galway second over extended two-miles last month would certainly give him claims but has fallen below that level of form both starts since. First-time cheekpieces are tried now.

Form: 406288

Bay Hill^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 112| C| D

7/2

Very consistent of late on the Flat and over timber, posting figures of 21221 since August (both wins over hurdles). 6lb higher than for narrow Thurles win (2m, good to firm) this month but handles any ground and will be tough to brush aside.

Form: 30-6121

Reach Up^t¹⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T N Brett⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 112

25/1

Won a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle in April but found the move in to novice company tough in two starts afterwards. Has improvement to find back from a break here against seasoned campaigners.

Form: 46F1-53

Bendanella¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr T P Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 109| D

25/1

Hasn't been happening for him over fences lately but potentially well-handicapped on best of his hurdles form (twice a winner) and had a recent pipe-opener in Punchestown charity contest to sharpen him up.

Form: P3-534F

Linger⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 109| D

9/1

Promising in 2016 (three hurdles wins in Britain) but lost way and efforts over hurdles and fences this year are not inspiring. Beaten 12¾L into fifth of 14 already this week at Navan over the trip.

Form: 557875

Drakaina^t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss J M Cook⁽⁷⁾| T: Paul Power| OR: 103| CD

6/1

Moved menacingly well before ultimately finishing half-length second in decent C&D contest last month. Not quite as good since at Gowran Park buy only rated a pound higher returning here and given a chance.

Form: 520726

Littlestickarubarb^h³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: M Winters| OR: 101| D

13/2

Won a Cork handicap hurdle off an 11lb lower mark in the spring before disappointing a little in the summer. Runner-up over this trip at Wexford (2m, good to yielding) in September and not discounted back down in trip today.

Form: 525725

The Reaping Race³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 93

12/1

Flemensfirth gelding out of a Be My Native mare related to the likes of Tidal Bay and Imperial Commander. Well beaten in trio of maiden hurdles and must improve significantly now switched to handicaps.

Form: 6-70

Forecasts

Bay Hill (7/2), Drakaina (6/1), Littlestickarubarb (13/2), Just Get Cracking (7/1), Antimatter (8/1), Linger (9/1), Gagas Horse (10/1), The Reaping Race (12/1), Laid Back Luke (14/1), Oscars Den (16/1), Reach Up (25/1), Bendanella (25/1)

Bay Hill has been thriving in both codes of late and despite going up 6lb for a narrow Thurles success recently, he's one to take seriously and will relish getting in a battle from a prominent position. However DRAKAINA travelled very well in a good mares' handicap over C&D in her penultimate start and, just 1lb higher now, might give the boys something to think about back here. Just Get Cracking and Bendanella have fair hopes on their best form while any money coming for Gagas Horse or Littlestickarubarb would certainly take the eye.