17:25 Listowel

Thursday 12 September 2019

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

Devon Inn Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 6m 16.30s

Sky Marshal³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 125

6/1

Was rewarded for some consistent runs (including at the Galway festival) when easily winning a maiden hurdle at Cork in early August; more on his plate here and slight absence a concern but looks one of the more likely types.

Form: 23P-231

Maeve's Choice^b1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: M J Smith| OR: 124

11/2

An improving six-year-old who won rather snugly at Fairyhouse before possibly finding his revised mark a little too much at Killarney and Galway subsequently. Others look more convincing unless first-time blinkers have the desired effect.

Form: U411-56

Stacks Mountain^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 124| D

22/1

Followed up maiden hurdle success with a win in handicap company at Punchestown (3m; yielding). Has disappointed on his last two starts at Limerick and Killarney and needs to bounce back to land this.

Form: 32-1144

West Coast Time^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 123| BF

10/1

Has been racing on the Flat for much of the summer to little effect; much better hurdler who likes a bit a cut in the ground; disappointing on last hurdles run in April but certainly capable on his day especially if market support.

Form: 024/284-

Sweet Home Chicago⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Bowe| OR: 121| D

12/1

Not the most consistent these days but put in one of his better recent performances last time out at Galway when finishing 2nd in a competitive heat; might need to drop a few more pounds to get really competitive again.

Form: 40P-202

The Gatechecker^b⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 121| CD

20/1

Returns to hurdling having been struggling off his handicap mark over fences; only 3lb higher than winning over this trip at Thurles in February and looks one for the shortlist here.

Form: 175-987

Lilshane^b⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: T P O'Connor| OR: 120| D

40/1

A huge mixed bag who has failed to complete in five of his last seven starts but has won the other two; hard to make a convincing case for on his return to the smaller obstacles; buyer beware.

Form: RPP1F-U

Suinda²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr A McMahon⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 119

20/1

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 in August and excuses last time at Killarney. Capable of springing a surprise.

Form: 4341-0P

Lizzies Champ^t¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: P G Kelly| OR: 117| D

50/1

Won well at Galway in early August but has failed to complete on his last three racecourse appearances blighted by poor jumping; easily passed over in current form.

Form: 221FP-F

Goodnightngodbless^p1,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽³⁾| T: J Motherway| OR: 116| D

5/1

Has proven to be a consistent mare over the last year and has not finished out of the first two places on her last four starts; arguably a little too high in the weights but should run her race and holds every chance with first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 392-122

Bothar Dubh¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: D Queally| OR: 115| D

6/1

Has been chasing but has much better form over hurdles exemplified by a good win last time out at Ballinrobe; upped in the weights and taking a big step up in trip but definite possibilities.

Form: 1F1U-31

Lessofdnegativity⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: A J McNamara| OR: 104

16/1

Rewarded for some consistent efforts over hurdles when winning last time out at Killarney (2m3f, good-yielding); this is a tougher race and still question marks about his stamina but clearly in good heart at present.

Form: 73-5051

Pump Road^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: M M McNiff| OR: 109| D

8/1

Consistent type who wins his fair share of races including last time out at Sligo (3m, yielding); might face a tough time at the weights however, given his recent rise but still looks on the upgrade at present and one to consider.

Form: 862131

Owl Creek Bridge²⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 105| D

5/1

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking over hurdles when well backed in a Limerick handicap hurdle at the venues Christmas meeting. Worth a market check

Form: 290001-

Forecasts

Goodnightngodbless (5/1), Owl Creek Bridge (5/1), Maeve's Choice (11/2), Bothar Dubh (6/1), Sky Marshal (6/1), Pump Road (8/1), West Coast Time (10/1), Sweet Home Chicago (12/1), Lessofdnegativity (16/1), Suinda (20/1), The Gatechecker (20/1), Stacks Mountain (22/1), Lilshane (40/1), Lizzies Champ (50/1)

GOODNIGHTGODBLESS sports first-time cheekpieces in this contest and they may be the key to eking out another win for the consistent mare. She has a difficult task on paper given the rise in the weights of late but looks capable given many of her rivals are similarly high enough in the handicap. Pump Road is another consistent type who the selection needs to be wary of. A winner last time out over this trip, he too is arguably high enough in the weights but should still run his race. Stacks Mountain needs to put two poor recent runs behind him but looks fairly well treated at present and could run a big race if bouncing back.