14:55 Navan

Sunday 17 February 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:3017:00

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 1.50s

Silver Star^t¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 122| D

6/1

Distance winner, kept busy between August and October last year picking up a couple of hurdle wins at Kilbeggan and Downpatrick. Running 6lb higher than last win and may need the run on return to action.

Form: 213130

Admiral Brian^h,t²⁹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: E O'Connell⁽⁴⁾| T: E O'Connell| OR: 121| CD

16/1

One from seven over C&D, the win coming in this contest three years ago off a 22lb lower mark. Well held in a couple of starts when last seen in the spring. Looks a tall order on return to action.

Form: 563270-

Oscars Den^t³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: M J Stenson⁽⁴⁾| T: T M Walsh| OR: 120| CD

3/1

Gallant and popular veteran whose last win came over 12 months ago but has been running well in defeat this month including going down in a head-bobber at Fairyhouse. Others preferred for win purposes.

Form: 64-0622

Geneva Barracks^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C Brassil⁽²⁾| T: M Brassil| OR: 118| D

4/1

Winner over this trip when landing a Naas handicap hurdle on yielding ground last month off a 5lb lower mark. Life more difficult under a penalty but very much a leading player here.

Form: 4U30-41

My Manekineko¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: R P Treacy| T: J Nash| OR: 114| D

20/1

Well held over the larger obstacles recently and finished last of six beaten 35L in a Leicester handicap hurdle in December. On a long losing run and recent form doesn't warrant support in this contest.

Form: 56UF26

La Bella Vida²⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁴⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 113| D

12/1

Without a win in nine handicap starts over hurdles and the larger obstacles. However, has gone well fresh on more than one occasion in the past and any market move should be monitored.

Form: 522PU-6

British Art^h¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: B Browne⁽²⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 105

11/2

Distance winner who has lost nothing in defeat in a number of hurdle starts last month including finishing second of 15 beaten ½L when headed close home by Gliondar Mo Chroi. Should be among the leading players.

Form: 318224

Earl Of Bunnacurry^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: J B Kane⁽²⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 104

20/1

Running well in defeat on the Flat towards the end of the calendar year on the AW at Southwell and Dundalk. Nothing of note in a couple of hurdle starts recently well beaten on both occasions. Will need to raise overall profile to play a role.

Form: 0080

Mystique Heights^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Ricky Doyle⁽²⁾| T: L Comer| OR: 100| D

15/2

Sprang a shock last month when landing a 2m handicap hurdle at Naas over 2m on good ground off a 5lb lower mark beating 18 rivals at odds of 16/1. The win followed a couple of heavy defeats in December, but entitled to make the shortlist.

Form: 468/051

Stoneboat Bill^h,t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: E T Daly⁽⁴⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 97

20/1

Five-race maiden hurdler, last seen over timber finishing 10th of 12 over 12 months ago when in the hands of trainer Declan Carroll. Coming here on the back of two dour efforts on the AW at Dundalk in December and others preferred.

Form: 65840-

Wade Harper^p⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: C A Landers⁽²⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 95

11/1

Non-Runner

Form: 5-59002

Ashton Court²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short| T: P Griffin| OR: 95

50/1

Has appeared overwhelmed in a number of grim efforts over hurdles including when finishing 10th of 11 beaten 14½L on handicap debut at Naas last month. Unlikely to play a part in the finish.

Form: 00V70

Forecasts

Oscars Den (3/1), Geneva Barracks (4/1), British Art (11/2), Silver Star (6/1), Mystique Heights (15/2), Wade Harper (11/1), La Bella Vida (12/1), Admiral Brian (16/1), Earl Of Bunnacurry (20/1), Stoneboat Bill (20/1), My Manekineko (20/1), Ashton Court (50/1)

Mystique Heights sprung a shock last month when landing a 2m handicap hurdle at Naas over 2m on good ground off a 5lb lower mark beating 18 rivals at odds of 16/1, but that win followed a couple of poor starts in December and cannot be trusted to follow. The High Chaparral gelding may find the consistency of BRITISH ART too much as the seven-year-old seeks to get back to winning ways over hurdles. Geneva Barracks will look to follow up on his win at Naas last month, while Silver Star could go well on return to action.