19:05 Clonmel

Thursday 16 May 2019

All17:2017:5518:3019:0519:4020:1520:45

Clonmel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:05 | Winning time: 4m 50.10s

Mr Picotee^p,t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: V Halley| OR: 119

33/1

Three-time hurdles winner returns from unsuccessful spell of pointing and hunter chasing. Form in this sphere also seemed regressive last year so reason enough to oppose here.

Form: P44330-

The Big Lense^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 116| D

10/3

Bellewtown maiden winner ran well enough in first two handicap before struggling a little most recently. Fast ground should be in his favour here and too soon to rule out a step up given connections.

Form: 816479-

Castlehume^t1²⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 114| BF

14/1

Failed to land a hat-trick of wins in a Sligo handicap hurdle last August where he finished second and off since. Clearly very progressive in 2018 and could have more to come although entitled to come on for this.

Form: 334/112-

You Can't Catch Me^t⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: K Purcell| OR: 112| CD

7/1

Gained a first chase success at Thurles to runs back to add to wins on the level and in bumpers and hurdles. Lower hurdles mark is more appealing than his eighth latest at Wexford off 8lb higher chase mark.

Form: 555018-

Mutadaffeq⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 104

7/4

Useful four-time Flat scorer off the mark over hurdles at the seventh time of asking lately after a string of solid efforts. Could come on for that and won on good to firm on the flat so ground should be relished here.

Form: 00425-1

British Art^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: A Ring| T: R K Watson| OR: 109

8/1

Second on four occasions since Down Royal win on Boxing Day and latest of them at Sligo at 16/1 in a novice hurdle another sound effort. Handicapper upped him again for that but not ruled out.

Form: 42045-2

Muroor^v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C D Maxwell| T: T G McCourt| OR: 103

33/1

Won twice at Downpatrick last August and October and only ran over hurdles once since (ninth of 23). Chasing on the whole most recently not really inspired but can do better back over hurdles although this ground a concern.

Form: 516935-

Megalomaniac⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 100| BF

9/2

Gradual improvement in novice company culminating in 1¾L third here latest. Goes handicapping while still on the up which makes him a danger to all. Leading claims.

Form: 8/8053-

Forecasts

Mutadaffeq (7/4), The Big Lense (10/3), Megalomaniac (9/2), You Can't Catch Me (7/1), British Art (8/1), Castlehume (14/1), Muroor (33/1), Mr Picotee (33/1)

Recent Cork scorer MUTADAFFEQ looks a horse on the up and he should absolutely relish quick conditions based on his Flat form so gets the vote for Champion Hurdle winning trainer Gavin Cromwell. Unexposed first-time handicapper Megalomaniac is an interesting contender for Henry De Bromhead and a sound alternative. Also considered is Castlehume although lack of a recent run relegates him to third best.