17:55 Killarney

Friday 23 August 2019

All16:4517:2017:5518:2518:5519:2520:00

Kerry Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 5m 26.30s

Mitchouka^b,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 131

33/1

Solid enough winner of four of his 16 starts over hurdles. Better than his run at the Galway festival earlier this month suggests and capable of a big run for a yard with a 43% win and place strike rate at this meeting in the last four years.

Form: 0P0-390

Spades Are Trumps^t1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 129

4/1

Generally well held in a couple of starts since a fine run at Fairyhouse in April when second of 14 beaten ¾L over 2m6f. Improvement needed if he is to take this event.

Form: P0/62-89

Line Out⁴⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D F O'Regan| T: J E Kiely| OR: 127| BF| C

10/1

Course winner who has won two of his nine starts over hurdles was beaten ½L at Killarney as beaten favourite when last seen over 12 months ago. Market likely to be the best guide on return to action.

Form: 1133/62-

Static Jack³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 124| CD

11/2

C&D winner when landing a second hurdling win of his career last month off a 8lb lower mark. In a good run of form just now and a repeat effort would herald another bold bid.

Form: 44PP-21

Air Supremacy^p,t1²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 122| C

11/2

Looks to be in the middle of a dismal run of results since winning a Listowel novice hurdle 11 months ago. First time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 150F-P0

Suinda¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr A McMahon⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 119| D

16/1

Off the mark for connections when landing a handicap hurdle at Galway in October last year off a 10lb lower mark. Well held on seasonal return at the same venue earlier this month but appears capable of hitting the frame in this company.

Form: 54341-0

Ballyegan Hero¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Walsh| OR: 118| D

12/1

Regressive sort now running 4lb lower than last winning mark. Not the most reliable of sorts and others hold stronger claims in this contest.

Form: UF0-P69

Party Playboy²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: A Mullins| OR: 111

15/8

Deservedly off the mark at the eighth attempt for connections when winning a 20-runner Down Royal handicap hurdle in June off a 9lb lower mark. Not beaten far on the Flat at Goodwood last month and one for the shortlist here.

Form: 634-451

Shannon Hill¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: A Ring| T: D Hogan| OR: 110| D

33/1

Won a weak 2m6f maiden hurdle at Stratford last November when trained by Alan King. Nothing of note in three dismal efforts since including a disappointing effort on stable debut at the Galway festival this month. Others preferred.

Form: 1/144-0

Celtic Dancer²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 106

10/1

Winner of three of his last four starts and a hat-trick of wins at Limerick. 25lb higher than first win in May but expected to muster another bold bid.

Form: 0-01511

Non-Runners

Neverushacon²⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: Mrs J Harrington J: R M Power

Spancil Hill¹¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: M J McDonagh J: C J Orr

Forecasts

Party Playboy (15/8), Spades Are Trumps (4/1), Air Supremacy (11/2), Static Jack (11/2), Neverushacon (6/1), Celtic Dancer (10/1), Line Out (10/1), Ballyegan Hero (12/1), Spancil Hill (12/1), Suinda (16/1), Mitchouka (33/1), Shannon Hill (33/1)

It's difficult to get away from the chances of the Tony Mullins-trained PARTY PLAYBOY as the gelding returns to hurdling following a number of spins on the Flat last month. Winner of a 20-runner handicap at Down Royal on his last start over timber the five-year-old can get the better of the Willie Mullins-trained, Suinda, the hat-trick seeking Celtic Dancer and Neverushacon for the Jessica Harrington yard.