14:50 Fairyhouse

Saturday 23 February 2019

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 56.5s

Chatham Street Lad³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Dempsey| T: M Winters| OR: 135

8/1

Revitalised form around the turn of the year including a win at Cork in December has seen the Beneficial gelding rise 18lb. Beaten off new ratings but very much keeping his form over this trip. One to keep onside.

Form: U47122

Awayinthewest²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 130| C

25/1

In fine form running in a number of mares' contests but found the step up Grade 3 level at Fairyhouse last month finishing last of seven beaten 65L behind Honeysuckle.

Form: F21327

Western Boy^p³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: J S McGarvey| T: P A Fahy| OR: 126

33/1

Out of form in a couple of handicap hurdle starts since December including a 20L defeat last month in a Thurles event over 2m. Stablemate of Awayinthewest and has plenty to prove stepping up in trip.

Form: P50-705

Boot Camp²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| D

20/1

Won a handicap hurdle at Bellewstown in August over this trip off a 3lb lower mark but has suffered a number of heavy defeats since December. Difficult to dismiss given the trainers record in this contest.

Form: 813960

Golden Jewel³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: E Cawley| OR: 122| C| D

10/1

Course winner that has also won over the distance. Finished second of 20 beaten ½L behind Salty Boy in a promising run at Navan in December but has since disappointed in a couple of contests since. Appears to need some relief from the handicapper.

Form: 503208

The Jam Man¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: R McNally| OR: 118| D

8/1

Remote fifth of seven when falling two out in a Thurles handicap chase earlier this month but ran an encouraging second of 19 in a handicap hurdle at Gowran Park last month off a 2lb lower mark. Could go well if hurdling fluently.

Form: 16702F

The Big Lense^t¹³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 117| BF| D

12/1

Caught the eye when landing his maiden in a Bellewstown contest in August. Beaten since when last seen in October but very much a leading player here with trainer holding a strong set of stats in this race in the last three years.

Form: 1/63-816

Kingston Girl¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Mr D T Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: L Comer| OR: 116| C

20/1

Won her maiden hurdle here last month over 2m2f beating 11 rivals ½L. Solidly put in her place in a couple of subsequent starts at a higher level but could be of interest on handicap debut.

Form: 127156

Polished Steel^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 118

6/1

Off the mark over hurdles at the sixth time of asking for connections when landing a Thurles maiden hurdle over 2m earlier this month in good style. Strong place claims back in handicap company.

Form: 744731

Gagas Horse⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 115

12/1

Not disgraced in a number of maiden hurdle starts but has appeared to struggle in a couple of handicap contests since November including when pulling up at Limerick when last seen in December, already tailed off. Looks opposable.

Form: 3423-9P

Lucky Icon¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C D Maxwell| T: T Mullins| OR: 116

20/1

One from six over hurdles but ran well in a Listowel handicap hurdle over 2m finishing fourth of 12 beaten 2L in September off a 1lb lower mark. Needs to show significant improvement in this company.

Form: 14646F

Eight And Bob²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 113| C

11/4

Solid and consistent sort finishing in the first two in his last six hurdle starts winning on two occasions. Respected with trainer boasting a 31% strike rate at this meeting since 2015.

Form: 212221

Halsafari²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: M J Bowe| OR: 109| CD

11/2

Winner over C&D last month when landing a 21-runner maiden hurdle getting off the mark for connections at the fourth time of asking over timber. Each way claims with another bold show looking likely.

Form: 86941

British Art⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: A Ring| T: R K Watson| OR: 108

10/1

Winner of one of his 11 starts over hurdles but has been running admirably in defeat in a number of starts since the turn of the year. One of the more likely types and entitled to make the shortlist.

Form: 182242

Non-Runners

Rock De Baune⁵⁷

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: J E Kiely J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Eight And Bob (11/4), Halsafari (11/2), Polished Steel (6/1), Chatham Street Lad (8/1), The Jam Man (8/1), Golden Jewel (10/1), British Art (10/1), Rock De Baune (10/1), The Big Lense (12/1), Gagas Horse (12/1), Kingston Girl (20/1), Lucky Icon (20/1), Boot Camp (20/1), Awayinthewest (25/1), Western Boy (33/1)

The solid and consistent EIGHT AND BOB can land the spoils here handling a 9lb rise in the weights here to build on an impressive CV of handicap and novice hurdle displays. The Gordon Elliott pair of The Big Lense and the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Boot Camp claim respect given the yard have provided Squouateur to win this race in 2016, with Carrig Cathal and Sire Du Berlais hitting the frame in the last two seasons. The Jessica Harrington-trained Polished Steel won a Thurles maiden hurdle over 2m earlier this month in good style and holds strong place claims back in handicap company.