15:20 Limerick

Saturday 29 December 2018

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

IWP Home Improvement Centre Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 5m 13.30s

Nine Stiches⁶⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: A McCurtin⁽³⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 116

25/1

One from 10 over hurdles and without success in four handicap starts. Not seen for over 18-months and possibly best watched on return to action.

Form: 035757/

Rolanna^p⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: W J Martin| OR: 116

14/1

Failed to land a hat-trick of wins when finishing well behind Pass The Ball in a 3m handicap hurdle at Gowran Park in October but generally in fine form of late and entitled to make the shortlist here.

Form: 69-1153

Seskinane⁶²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: B McMahon| OR: 116| D

25/1

Distance winner who was never nearer 13th of 19 on return following an absence at Galway in October. Will need to raise overall profile to play a role here.

Form: 3341-30

Gagas Horse²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 115| C

4/1

Former bumper winner has shown good form in three maiden hurdle starts to date, but failed to transfer the practice on handicap debut here last month. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: 13423-9

Antimatter^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Duggan| OR: 114

11/1

Ran well in defeat here over 2m when finishing second of 12 in a handicap hurdle last month off a similar mark. Well held since and may find this a tough assignment.

Form: 628820

Force Of Forces²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: I Madden| OR: 114| D

33/1

Failed to build on a Fairyhouse maiden win for Willie Mullins last season in four subsequent starts. Dismal efforts on first two starts for new connections and other preferred.

Form: 3P-55U0

Hows Patsy²⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Ryan| OR: 110

12/1

Solid efforts in two hurdle starts since the turn of the year including a ½L defeat last time out behind Chateauneuf Du Pap here when last seen in March. Best form gives him a claim.

Form: 2PP/F32-

Sunset Sadie⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: E O'Connell⁽⁵⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 109| D

10/1

Mare by Brian Boru who landed a Clonmel handicap hurdle last month at 20/1. Distance winner who goes on the ground and should be a leading contender once again.

Form: 1532-01

Ange D'Or Javilex^p1³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 107| C

14/1

Lightly-raced gelding and has produced a couple of dour performances for new connections last month. First time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of progression needed to land a blow here.

Form: 6070/00

It's Only A Number¹⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: J S McGarvey| T: F J Flood| OR: 107

8/1

Has flattered to deceive in a number of starts for leading owner but could be a different proposition on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 77P2-44

Moylisha Tim¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: A Ring| T: R P Rath| OR: 107| D

20/1

Grade 3 hurdle winner as a novice in 2015, but has not won since. Below par form looks set to continue here.

Form: 560508

Offshore Oscar⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul Townend| T: E McNamara| OR: 104| D

7/4

Solid and consistent sort who has run well over a variety of trip since August. Likable type who should be in the mix.

Form: 00-8123

From Eden^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 96

16/1

Only won one of his 25 starts and last 13 all unplaced. Form seems to be regressive and is hard to fancy once again here.

Form: 0-00080

Wade Harper^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 95| D

33/1

Last success came in Catterick novice hurdle in early 2016. Hasn't really fired since joining current team and is likely to struggle once again.

Form: 55-5900

Forecasts

Offshore Oscar (7/4), Gagas Horse (4/1), It's Only A Number (8/1), Sunset Sadie (10/1), Antimatter (11/1), Hows Patsy (12/1), Rolanna (14/1), Ange D'Or Javilex (14/1), From Eden (16/1), Moylisha Tim (20/1), Seskinane (25/1), Nine Stiches (25/1), Wade Harper (33/1), Force Of Forces (33/1)

OFFSHORE OSCAR can build on an impressive performance at the Cheltenham November meeting, when finishing third of 23, landing the spoils in a competitive contest under Paul Townend. The seven-year-old can see off competition from potential improver, Sunset Sadie and the promising, It's Only A Number, in the colours of J P McManus. The six-year-old mare, Rolanna and Gavin Cromwell's Gagas Horse deserve consideration.