15:10 Cork

Sunday 20 October 2019

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:25

McCarthy Plant & Agri Sales Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 6m 17.1s

Doldido^p,t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 107

11/2

Relatively lightly raced over hurdles; only racecourse success came over hurdles in 2017; overall form is patchy and not a horse to back with any confidence.

Form: 66P-353

Napoleon Blue^b1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Slevin| T: A Murray| OR: 104| D

8/1

Had been running well earlier this year winning at Thurles in March; last two efforts have been very disappointing and there are definite question marks about his ability to get competitive once again.

Form: 013-280

Whereyounow⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Sweeney| OR: 104| C| D

6/1

Won two races earlier this year at Limerick over 3m and here over 2m4f; has struggled a bit of late off his current mark and while hard to rule out entirely, he may need to drop a few more pounds to get his head in front again.

Form: 611-466

Classic Concorde¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: A McNamara| OR: 102

8/1

Bounced back to reasonable form last time out at Clonmel following a string of disappointing efforts since winning at Kilbeggan in June; if reproducing latest run he is certainly one for the shortlist.

Form: 618402

Big Tree¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 101

6/1

Nine race maiden who steps up to this trip for the first time; has mainly been disappointing but was doing his best work in the closing stages on his latest start at Gowran Park over 2m4f; deserves closer inspection.

Form: 7-28406

Nicole's Milan^t¹⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: K C Sexton| T: S Aherne| OR: 100| D

33/1

Winner of two of his 12 starts over hurdles but it has been over a year since his last success over timber. Makes little appeal based on what he has shown this calendar year and long absence to overcome.

Form: 0FPP-59

Flooring Porter^t1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 105| BF

4/1

Off the mark for connections at the fifth attempt when landing a Bellewstown 2m½f maiden on good ground in August; took a step up in trip 2m5f in his stride when not disgraced on latest run at Downpatrick; step up here should suit; interesting.

Form: 780714

Rightback Atya²¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 96| D

50/1

Lightly raced over hurdles; has won over timber but that was back in 2015; difficult to assess his chance making his first appearance over hurdles since 2016 and first racecourse appearance since March.

Form: 51F4/92-

Whydah^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 95

12/1

Best effort when sixth of 21 in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle in January, but well beaten in four handicaps since, including when unseating his rider last week at Sligo; has been well backed in the past so market worth a check.

Form: 6600-0B

Ballea Fox⁵⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Spillane| OR: 94| BF| D

20/1

Put a number of below-par displays behind him when winning a handicap hurdle at Limerick in March; unseated rider next time out but competent effort on final start in April at Limerick; not without a chance if running to the best of his form.

Form: 00U1U3/

Double Windsor^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 91| CD

25/1

Much better chaser these days; sole hurdle success came over course and distance but it has been a long time since he has been competitive over the smaller obstacles; in his favour is a falling handicap mark.

Form: 342098

Elusive Exclusive⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 86

40/1

Unplaced in her five starts over hurdles; might have to drop plenty down the handicap before being able to get competitive.

Form: P500/80

Long Island Jenn^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽³⁾| T: Miss D O'Shea| OR: 80

25/1

Well held in five dismal maiden hurdle efforts to date beaten over 20L on each occasion including on handicap debut last time at Tipperary; other make more appeal.

Form: U/0-9865

My Lovely Boy³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: T P O'Connor| OR: 85

10/1

Unplaced on eight hurdle starts to date; on the plus side he probably produced a career best effort last time out at Ballinrobe over 2m6f doing his best work in the closing stages; unlikely winner but has place possibilities.

Form: 007P04

Forecasts

Flooring Porter (4/1), Doldido (11/2), Big Tree (6/1), Whereyounow (6/1), Classic Concorde (8/1), Napoleon Blue (8/1), My Lovely Boy (10/1), Whydah (12/1), Ballea Fox (20/1), Double Windsor (25/1), Long Island Jenn (25/1), Nicole's Milan (33/1), Elusive Exclusive (40/1), Rightback Atya (50/1)

A tough race to find a winner but slight preference is given to Classic Concorde who showed he was returning to his best form when runner-up off a similar mark last time out at Clonmel over this trip. A reproduction of that form should see him go close. Flooring Porter raced last time at Downpatrick as though this trip would be right up his street and if he can progress again, he may be a very well handicapped horse. Another who should enjoy this step up in trip is Big Tree. The gelding was doing his best work last time out in the closing stages at Gowran Park and is capable of running a big race.