14:30 Galway

Saturday 3 August 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

4YO plus | 2m 6f 168y | 18 Runners | Turf | Weighed In

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 30.20s

Rashaan²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: C Kidd| OR: 148| C

22/1

Winner at this meeting 12 months ago when landing a Grade 3 2m2f novice chase with the likes of Ornua and Robin Des Foret behind. Won the Grade 2 Strawberry hurdle in April and very much a leading player here.

Form: 4R31-34

Ivanovich Gorbatov^b,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 146

33/1

Winner of three starts over hurdles but the Montjeu gelding has appeared a little out of form since May. One of nine in the contest for leading owner, possibly best watched unless market vibes have other ideas.

Form: P80847

De Name Escapes Me^t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 143

20/1

More recently seen going well on the Flat as well as disappointing over the larger obstacles. Owner fields nine in this race with market likely to be the best guide.

Form: 2105-U0

Project Bluebook^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: L P Dempsey| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 137| BF

16/1

Three-time winner over hurdles the British trained gelding has still been showing plenty of spark in a couple of spins this term. Near the top of nine runners in the contest for key owner who clearly means business here.

Form: 06/00-22

Didtheyleaveuoutto¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: R M Power| T: N J Gifford| OR: 134

12/1

Winner of two of his four starts over hurdles but the infrequency of his visits to the track is a concern. British raider who is one of nine in the race for prominent owner and any market move could be worth monitoring.

Form: 10/1159-

Mitchouka^b,t⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

50/1

Last win came in a Grade 3 Juvenile hurdle over 2m at Fairyhouse in February last year. The gelding has failed to build on that since over timber or fences. Not sure the step up in trip will suit.

Form: 50P0-39

Great White Shark⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 131| C

3/1

Two from five over hurdles and winner here on Monday on the Flat when landing the 2m1f handicap from Dalton Highway. Trainer has won this race in three of the last four renewals including when landing the race 12 months ago with Low Sun.

Form: 6221-1

Spades Are Trumps⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 129

11/2

Has failed to add to his encouraging maiden hurdle win at Punchestown two years ago, though very lightly raced since. Top-tier owner has nine declared in this contest and market likely to be the best guide to expectations.

Form: 2P0/62-8

Contingency⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 128| C

12/1

Lightly raced daughter of Champs Elysees. Impressive winner on chase debut when last seen in June. Trainer has saddled Valyssa Monterg, Westerner Lady and Low Sun to land the spoils in this contest in three of the last four years.

Form: 134/9-21

Neverushacon^p,t⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 128| C

16/1

Two-time winner over hurdles the gelding finished a gallant fifth of 20 beaten 4L behind Great White Shark here on Monday. Has been left wanting when tried at this level over timber previously.

Form: 2/11096-

Oscar Knight¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: N P Madden| T: T Mullins| OR: 128| C

25/1

Winner of two of his 15 starts over hurdle more recently seen running well in defeat over the larger obstacles. Another one of nine in the contest for illustrious owner, possibly best watched unless the market suggests otherwise.

Form: 670-PU3

Cosmo's Moon⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 127| BF

12/1

Has carried the good form of his maiden win at Limerick in April in to a number of creditable handicap efforts in the spring. One of a good few viable combatants in this contest.

Form: 251-232

Eclat Des Mottes¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127

7/1

One for four over hurdles and caught the eye on latest start at Killarney last month. Merits respected representing yard who sent out the winner of this contest 12 months ago with Low Sun taking the stables record to three in four.

Form: 3/165-3

Plinth^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Burke| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 127

50/1

Experience hurdler winner of nine of his 54 starts over timber. Another one of nine in the race declared to represent premier owner with the market possibly the best guide to his chance.

Form: 80-U15P

The Red Menace^b1,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 125

25/1

Winner of a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in March the gelding has failed to add to that success in five starts since. Looks a tall order in this contest sporting first-time blinkers.

Form: 1P-4256

Maeve's Choice^p⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: B J Cooper| T: M J Smith| OR: 124

22/1

An improving 6-y-o who won rather snugly at Fairyhouse before possibly finding his revised mark a little too much when finishing a moderate fifth of 11 at Killarney when last seen in May. Others look more convincing.

Form: FU411-5

Great Trango^b⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Phillip Enright| T: D H Kelly| OR: 123| C

12/1

Has failed to add to his handicap hurdle win at Listowel in September off a 2lb lower mark and was another to finish behind Great White Shark at this venue on Monday. Improvement needed.

Form: 3/290-03

Ask Susan⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 121| BF| D

7/1

More recently seen over the larger obstacles but could be of interest on return to hurdling. Yard have landed the spoils in this contest in three of the last four years, including with Low Sun.

Form: 1PP6-33

Non-Runners

Hearts Are Trumps²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: D McDonogh J: J S McGarvey

Rock De Baune⁴⁰

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: J E Kiely J: M A Enright

Forecasts

Great White Shark (3/1), Spades Are Trumps (11/2), Ask Susan (7/1), Eclat Des Mottes (7/1), Great Trango (12/1), Cosmo's Moon (12/1), Didtheyleaveuoutto (12/1), Contingency (12/1), Hearts Are Trumps (12/1), Neverushacon (16/1), Project Bluebook (16/1), De Name Escapes Me (20/1), Rock De Baune (20/1), Maeve's Choice (22/1), Rashaan (22/1), The Red Menace (25/1), Oscar Knight (25/1), Ivanovich Gorbatov (33/1), Plinth (50/1), Mitchouka (50/1)

A conundrum between owners J P McManus who has nine in the race and Susannah Ricci who has won this race on three occasions in the last six years. ECLAT DES MOTTES for Mrs Ricci and trainer Willie Mullins can take advantage of what looks like a handy mark to build on a solid handicap debut at Killarney last month and continue the fine record for the combination in this race. The five-year-old can see off his closest rivals, stablemate Great White Shark and the J P McManus-owned Hearts Are Trumps. The Noel Meade pair Cosmo's Moon and The Red Menace deserve special attention.