18:50 Wexford

Friday 26 July 2019

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:55

Flood Ironworks Ltd. Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 18:55 | Winning time: 5m 57.0s

Eimear^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: W Ross| OR: 95

5/1

Nine-race maiden but the daughter of Court Cave has hit the frame in three of his last four starts. Repeat of recent efforts should see her in the hunt for more prize money.

Form: 7-82242

Officers Mess²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 95| C

11/2

Sole win of his 15-race career came in a handicap hurdle off a similar mark over 12 months at this venue. Ran well to finish third of 17 beaten 4L at Tipperary recently and is entitled to be in the mix here.

Form: 0037-63

Gunfire Reef¹⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 93

10/1

More often seen over the larger obstacles around the turn of the year and reappears here for his second start over hurdles. Any market support could be significant on handicap debut.

Form: 02312P-

Lady Of The Sea^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 93| CD

7/2

Only win in 18 starts over hurdles came in this contest 12 months ago off a 7lb lower mark. Running well in defeat on return to action earlier this month over 2m½f in what appears to be a warm up for this fixture.

Form: 95627-3

Mister Butler^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 93

16/1

One from 15 over hurdles the Presenting gelding is on a six-race losing run over timber. Hard to fancy on overall evidence and others hold sturdier claims.

Form: 030-00U

Black Spot On^v1¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: R McNally| OR: 92

12/1

Useful handicap hurdler who has won two of his 20 starts over timber, hitting the frame on a further six occasions. Now racing 20lb below last winning mark the veteran is unlikely to find enough improvement to land a blow in first-time visor.

Form: 00-454P

Clouncerna^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: J R Barry| OR: 90

16/1

Five-race maiden hurdler who possibly produced a career best on his latest start finishing 6½L adrift of Helly Hansum in a 3m handicap on good ground earlier this month. Will need to improve on overall form to play a significant role in this event.

Form: 9P-7667

Miracle Way^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 88

12/1

Still looking for her breakthrough success in ten starts over hurdles. Third of eight beaten 12L on latest start at Kilbeggan earlier this month. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: 0-03843

Bombay Basil⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: Joseph Hennessy| OR: 87

33/1

Six-race maiden who has failed to hit the frame in three starts over hurdles. Chasing more recently and the gelding has appeared to struggle overall and it is a little difficult to see where improvement is coming from.

Form: 9/00-900

Sizing Joshua^b,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: M F Morris| OR: 85

8/1

Fifth of 17 beaten 4¾L behind Helly Hansum in a Tipperary handicap hurdle earlier this month was the Flemensfirth geldings best effort for sometime. Can go well but others look more convincing.

Form: P34-U65

Captain Leo²²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Slevin| T: R P Rath| OR: 82| D

33/1

Five-race maiden hurdler who has not been seen since finishing tailed of beaten 127L in a Naas handicap hurdle in December. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success.

Form: P/04F60-

My Lovely Boy¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: T P O'Connor| OR: 89

16/1

Nothing of note in five hurdle starts to date including a couple of handicap efforts since May. Lower mark needed before coming in for consideration.

Form: 07-007

Northern Emperor^t,v⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 81

12/1

Appeared to improve for the fitting of first time visor when finishing fourth of 17 at Listowel last month before running well in defeat once again at Killarney earlier this month. Carries a small penalty for recent deeds but can go well here.

Form: 6303-44

Naughty Molly^b,t¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J R Barry| OR: 80| D

28/1

Sole career win came over the larger obstacles six years ago. Without a win in 18 starts over hurdles and ran like her advancing years were catching up with her at Limerick recently.

Form: 543F5-7

Non-Runners

Spring Well²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: S Slevin J: Reserve 1

Shantelle³

Weight: 10-11| Age: 10

T: R Donohoe J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Lady Of The Sea (7/2), Eimear (5/1), Officers Mess (11/2), Sizing Joshua (8/1), Gunfire Reef (10/1), Black Spot On (12/1), Miracle Way (12/1), Northern Emperor (12/1), Shantelle (14/1), Mister Butler (16/1), Clouncerna (16/1), My Lovely Boy (16/1), Spring Well (25/1), Naughty Molly (28/1), Bombay Basil (33/1), Captain Leo (33/1)

Top weight EIMEAR wont get it all her own way in front as the veteran 12-year-old Black Spot On may make the early running. The early pace of the contest could work to the advantage of the six-year-old who can get off the mark over hurdles at the 10th time of asking for connections following a number of solid and consistent efforts since May. Winner 12 months ago Lady Of The Sea can go well again but her 7lb higher mark may halt her bid for a second win in the contest. Northern Emperor, Officers Mess and Gunfire Reef can all battle for prize money.