18:15 Tramore

Thursday 15 August 2019

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:2019:5020:20

Victoria House Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 3m 58.9s

Marmalade N Toast⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D Kiely⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Flynn

40/1

Form has curtailed a bit on the flat in recent starts, but interesting that he was pitched into Grade 2 company on his only start over hurdles (albeit being well beaten) on Boxing Day. This is a great deal easier, but still has a lot to prove.

Form: 0-

Stronghold^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

9/1

Not dealt a great deal of luck when he was brought down on hurdles debut at Killarney (2m1f; good) in May. Made little impression since then in another race over hurdles, and well-beaten at Galway (2m; good) on the flat when last seen.

Form: B8

Amber Run⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell

100/1

Didn't offer much encouragement when 12th of 14 on debut in a bumper at Roscommon (2m; good). Now starts out over hurdles on what is his second ever race and subsequently likely to be in need of the experience.

Form: 0

Be My Hero^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

33/1

Hurdle debutante who was tailed off on rules debut in a bumper at Killarney (2m1f; good) last month. Yard are going through a dry spell at present and he is best watched for the time being.

Form: 9

Clody Valley¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle

100/1

Never involved in a couple of bumpers in May/July, and has since produced similar when he made his debut over hurdles at Cork (2m3f; yielding) at the start of the month. May show more when entering the handicap sphere.

Form: 800

Cocoroco¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr P J O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: John F O'Neill

100/1

Showed no ability over hurdles and on the flat. Makes return from a short break now, but was tailed off in a maiden at Tipperary (1m4f; soft) when last seen and is impossible to fancy.

Form: 9FP-

Itsdacraic²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: M J Bolger| T: S Fahey

100/1

One of a few in the line-up making their debut over obstacles after an unsuccessful time of things on the flat. Showed little in maidens and not improved for the switch to handicaps. Look elsewhere.

Form:

King Con^t⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A L T Moore

66/1

Showed very little on the flat, and is 0-5 in that sphere. Now makes debut over hurdles, but he is probably best watched on what he has shown so far on the level. Readily opposed.

Form:

Quartz Du Rheu³³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

2/9

French import who is given the utmost respect for powerful connections who do well with such types. Hard to judge the strength of his form in France, but this is a weak race to make UK debut in and he could be in a different league.

Form: 4-

Zayriyan^b²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 97

12/1

Still a maiden and has now had seven attempts over hurdles. Not open to as much improvement as some of the less exposed sorts, but hard to knock his latest effort when third at Ballinrobe (2m1f; good).

Form: 07-7353

Cocohulababy^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

11/1

More exposed than most, and so could be vulnerable to improvers. Made a fine start to life over hurdles though when fourth in a fair race at Bellewstown (2m; good). Lesser effort on the flat since, but best to ignore that on his return to obstacles.

Form: 4

Hapydaze⁴⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan

40/1

Dandy Man filly only had the one start on the flat when midfield in an okay maiden at Gowran Park (7f; good to firm). Now begins life over hurdles, but likely to need the experience.

Form:

Lets Go Again¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: P Fenton

7/1

Produced an improved effort from hurdles debut on second start over the smaller obstacles at Cork (2m; yielding) recently. Record does stand at 0-4, but unlikely to be a maiden for much longer if continuing to progress.

Form: 2474

Mind Your Step

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins

33/1

Unraced daughter of Milan. Unsold for €1,000 as a two-year-old. Makes debut in what looks a very uncompetitive affair on paper. Likely to have a future further down the line, but not one to be interested in at the moment

Form:

Forecasts

Quartz Du Rheu (2/9), Lets Go Again (7/1), Stronghold (9/1), Cocohulababy (11/1), Zayriyan (12/1), Be My Hero (33/1), Mind Your Step (33/1), Marmalade N Toast (40/1), Hapydaze (40/1), King Con (66/1), Cocoroco (100/1), Clody Valley (100/1), Amber Run (100/1), Itsdacraic (100/1)

It seems wise to stick with those who have at least some experience on their side. Despite producing a lesser effort on the flat lately, Cocohulababy did well to finish fourth on hurdling debut behind runners who had the benefit of experience. He is greatly respected, as is Lets Go Again who seems to be improving with racing and displayed obvious improvement from his hurdles debut when just failing to make the frame at Cork last time. However, clear preference is for QUARTZ DU RHEU who runs in the famous green and gold of JP McManus and looks an exciting recruit from France for powerful connections. He can make the perfect stable debut before moving onto bigger things.