12:40 Clonmel

Thursday 6 December 2018

All12:0512:4013:1513:4514:2014:5015:25

Powerstown Handicap Hurdle (80-102)

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 4m 17.00s

Littlestickarubarb^h⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 101| D

9/2

Won a Cork handicap hurdle off an 11lb lower mark in the spring before disappointing a little in the summer. Back to form of late, however, and rider's claim makes her of interest despite top weight.

Form: 257254

Whatsinthecorner^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 100| BF

7/2

Won over fences at Thurles last month, and fine efforts when runner-up in handicap hurdles on both starts since. Well clear of the third at Limerick last time, and outstanding claims from same mark here.

Form: 022122

Howluckycanwebe¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D McDonogh| OR: 99

20/1

Hasn't been disgraced in handicaps this year without being able to make a serious impression, and that suggests that she is simply too high in the weights.

Form: 569-796

Mag Brady^t1²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hickey| OR: 99

7/1

Not built on promise of second to top-notch Laurina on hurdles debut, but back to form when placed on last two starts in the spring, and possible that the addition of a tongue tie will help her on this return.

Form: 5/2783-2

Dontdooddson³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 97| C

11/1

Good second over C&D on penultimate start, and duly floored odds-on favourite Eight And Bob here last time. That race has thrown up subsequent winners, so respected despite a 7lb higher mark.

Form: 5-37521

Glenabo Bridge^t²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 96

10/1

Won a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Navan a year ago, and has shown aptitude in a couple of starts over fences in the spring. Reverts to hurdles after a break, and may find this an insufficient test.

Form: 562436-

All The Chimneys¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D J Mullins| T: W J Austin| OR: 95| D

16/1

Better known as a chaser, and probably needed the run when down the field over hurdles at Cork last month. Will strip fitter now, but others stronger on balance.

Form: 73256-0

Owl Creek Bridge⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 95

20/1

Well beaten in three runs to date, the latest behind talented Felix Desjy at Galway. Plenty to find now handicapping, but unexposed, and improvement ought to be on the cards.

Form: 13-2900

Time And Times^h1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: D McNamara| OR: 95

14/1

Not disgraced when fifth in a similar event at Ballinrobe in September, but weakened rather tamely at Cork next time, and now tried in a hood. Bit to prove, although fairly treated on last season's form.

Form: P32-950

Just A Boy⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 95

14/1

Good second ion a bumper on racecourse bow, but no impression so far over hurdles. Type to do much better now handicapping, and mark could be lenient based on that bumper effort.

Form: 20089

Slippery Slope²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Dempsey| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 95

33/1

Well bred, and while she has shown only poor form in four starts to date, is another who is open to improvement now handicapping for shrewd connections, and market will guide as to her chances.

Form: P098

Walkers Point^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: S McParlan| OR: 92| D

10/1

Bounced back off reduced mark when runner-up at Wexford in October, and similar form when third to Fintown Boy at Thurles last time. Should make a bold bid from the front again.

Form: 009-923

Analyse That^p²²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss S Ahern⁽⁷⁾| T: S Aherne| OR: 91| C| D

25/1

Veteran who got back to winning ways in the mud here in March, but hasn't made the same impact in two subsequent starts. Opposable on return from a break.

Form: 14413-3

British Art^h1⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: A Ring| T: R K Watson| OR: 91

33/1

Best on AW and often a weak finisher in this sphere, so not easy to fancy after finishing well held when favourite on Tapeta at Newcastle last time.

Form: 08548/0

Uno Momento^h,t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: S G McDermott| T: T Mullins| OR: 93

25/1

Best effort in this discipline when eighth in a big-field novice at Cork two starts back, but he was too keen to build on that last time, and needs to settle better to fulfil what potential he has.

Form: 0989

Lets High Five It^h²⁶¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: R O'Neill| OR: 89| D

20/1

Well treated on best form, and ran creditably when second here in February. Finished his campaign on a low note here, though, and needs to put his best foot forward on return.

Form: 06528P-

Customer²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 88

25/1

Has been left toiling in a number of starts since returning to action in August, sent off at big odds on each occasion, and doesn't seem to retain old ability/enthusiasm.

Form: 9P-00P8

Taggle Og^t¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: E O'Connell⁽⁵⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 88

20/1

Tailed off on both starts over fences in the spring for Harry Kelly, and while this return to hurdles is a sensible move, she's not easy to warm to on first start for a new yard.

Form: 085-976

Non-Runners

Klassy Kay³³

Weight: 10-8| Age: 4

T: D A McLoughlin J: Reserve 1

Gimli's Oscar⁷⁶

Weight: 10-6| Age: 5

T: P J Rothwell J: Reserve 2

Tsarina Sophia¹⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: Diarmuid P Ryan J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Whatsinthecorner (7/2), Littlestickarubarb (9/2), Mag Brady (7/1), Walkers Point (10/1), Glenabo Bridge (10/1), Dontdooddson (11/1), Just A Boy (14/1), Time And Times (14/1), All The Chimneys (16/1), Howluckycanwebe (20/1), Taggle Og (20/1), Owl Creek Bridge (20/1), Lets High Five It (20/1), Klassy Kay (20/1), Customer (25/1), Uno Momento (25/1), Analyse That (25/1), Gimli's Oscar (25/1), British Art (33/1), Slippery Slope (33/1), Tsarina Sophia (50/1)

Some unexposed types on show here, and the market will be useful, but WHATSINTHECORNER sets the bar pretty high in the context of this contest, and gets the vote. Dontdoodson, Slippery Slope and Just A Boy are others to consider, with the last two representing top connections and likely to improve now handicapping.