16:15 Thurles

Thursday 21 February 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Thurles Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 54.7s

The Gatechecker^b¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 118| D

11/1

In fine form towards the end of last season over both fences and hurdles. Has shaped in need of the run the last twice and remains on a mark 7lb higher than for his last win. Needs to up his game here.

Form: 211300

Jack Fiasco^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 117

4/1

Good-ground winner over 2m4½f at Punchestown in the summer, though mixed bag of form since. Well held at Fairyhouse over this trip last month and although conditions are fine, has questions to answer.

Form: 623705

The White Volcano²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: J Woods| OR: 111| D

7/1

Winner at Down Royal last may off 11lb lower mark and has not been able to match that since. Well held in a novice event last time and others preferred today.

Form: 4-71457

Monition⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 110

10/1

Only had four starts over hurdles so early days but was well held on handicap debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. Given a short break since and needs plenty more here.

Form: 35-7340

Getaday²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: T J Nagle-Jr| OR: 108

5/1

Shaped well at Clonmel and Cork so was disappointed with his effort at Gowran Park on handicap debut last time. Needs to improve on that plenty but still early days and would have fair claims if back to best.

Form: 4-05329

Diggin Deep⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: W T Kennedy| T: S Hanlon| OR: 107| D

11/2

Been on the upgrade and finished off his race strongly to win again at Doncaster last time. That form is working out well with the second winning twice since and the seventh winning on Tuesday. Only up 5lb here and strong claims once again.

Form: 757121

Citizen Al³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 100

8/1

Has bits and pieces of form that would give her sound claims here. Has shaped for a while like 3m will really suit here and having bounced back to form at Punchestown last time, could progress once more here.

Form: 6-18063

Pleasant Hill¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: L Young| OR: 99| D

16/1

Point-to-point winner who has struggled in maiden hurdles over shorter. Goes up in trip on handicap debut and market check needed.

Form: 1-804

The Ballyboys^b³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: R Hackett| OR: 99| D

16/1

Has looked a bit of a thinker over fences and not one to rely on. Good idea reverting to hurdles and his best efforts would put him in the picture here. Has each-way claims.

Form: U63R7F

Thomas O'Malley^t,v²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Finn| OR: 102

33/1

Has lost his form over hurdles of late and didn't fare much better back on the flat at Dundalk last time. Doesn't shape like 3m is needed. Probably best watched unless market screams in favour.

Form: 4-F5760

Everyone's Invited²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 97

9/1

Well held and beaten a long way on all three starts over hurdles so far. Steps up in trip on handicap debut and market check is very much needed here with an improved effort likely.

Form: 900

Duke's Girl^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: M A Enright| T: J Nash| OR: 94

11/1

Mare is a 23-race maiden including 13 defeats over hurdles. Posted something like her best though when fourth at Fairyhouse last week but needs to build on that now.

Form: F24P04

Hollow Crest¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 88

33/1

Beaten a long way on all four starts over hurdles including on handicap debut last time. Best watched for now.

Form: 7F5000

Forecasts

Jack Fiasco (4/1), Getaday (5/1), Diggin Deep (11/2), The White Volcano (7/1), Citizen Al (8/1), Everyone's Invited (9/1), Monition (10/1), The Gatechecker (11/1), Duke's Girl (11/1), The Ballyboys (16/1), Pleasant Hill (16/1), Thomas O'Malley (33/1), Hollow Crest (33/1)

GETADAY was slightly disappointing on handicap debut last month but had shaped previously like he is on a very workable mark and is taken to get off the mark here. Diggin Deep is very much respected with the form of his Doncaster win working out so well. Any kind of market support for Everyone's Invited should be noted on handicap debut.