16:25 Galway

Saturday 26 October 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

W.B. Gavin & Co. Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 2.3s

Razoul²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: R P Cody| OR: 132| D

4/1

Hasn't finished out of the first two in his last six starts, twice winning at Kilbeggan and Listowel over 2m. Close second at Tipperary this month showed he's still a force to reckon worth despite rising mark.

Form: 222112

Velocity Boy¹⁹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: William P Murphy| OR: 125| D

20/1

One from 15 over fences but the gelding is on an 11-race losing run including failing to complete his last two starts at Navan and when last seen in April. Plenty to prove returning to action.

Form: 2F62PP-

Top Moon⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 128| D

4/1

Justified odds-on favouritism for winning hurdles bow at Kilbeggan in August over this trip and found only in-form Razoul too strong since on handicap bow at Listowel. Can make further progress in this sphere.

Form: 235-12

Morga¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Moore| T: D McDonogh| OR: 119| D

14/1

Mare hasn't won over hurdles for four years, and has never looked like winning this year including this month's hurdles starts at Tipperary (2m) and Punchestown (2m4f). Others make more appeal.

Form: 0058-58

Scheu Time¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 118| D

12/1

Out of sorts when last spotted in the spring, albeit often in better company than this. Has won fresh in the past, eased 2lb by assessor but perhaps needs more relief.

Form: 7967-09

Orgilgo Bay^t⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: D E Mullins| T: J C McConnell| OR: 116| D

20/1

Outran starting price of 66-1 over C&D at the festival here in August in a stronger race than this, finishing 12L sixth of 14. Pulled up since at Tramore and five years without a win now.

Form: 5527/6P

Westerner Point¹⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: E O'Grady| OR: 116| D

10/1

As good as ever when scoring over fences at Wexford (2m4f, soft to heavy) in March from a mark of 140. Well beaten in two previous hurdles runs at this venue and seems unlikely to take advantage of lower rating in this sphere on return.

Form: P6/6115-

Jon Ess²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Ricky Doyle⁽³⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 114

8/1

Maiden over timber, has come close in novice/handicap company on several occasions, including second of 25 at Navan (2m, good) last month from this mark. Should have his day before too long.

Form: 044282

Cloudy Morning^v³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Queally| OR: 111| D

7/1

Better known for staying chase exploits, this trips looks sharp enough despite lower rating in this sphere but was successful on previous hurdles start at Wexford in April.

Form: 2211-12

De Mazzaro^h,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽³⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 108

7/2

Remains a maiden but in the frame in each of last four runs, including 5L second of 16 over this trip at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago. Should be in the mix again from 2lb higher.

Form: F83332

Forecasts

De Mazzaro (7/2), Top Moon (4/1), Razoul (4/1), Cloudy Morning (7/1), Jon Ess (8/1), Westerner Point (10/1), Scheu Time (12/1), Morga (14/1), Velocity Boy (20/1), Orgilgo Bay (20/1)

RAZOUL has been nothing if not consistent over hurdles, finishing first or second in his last six starts. His wins at Kilbeggan and Listowel boosted confidence and his last-time-out second in a Grade 3 novice at Tipperary was another step up. He can prove hard to beat back in a handicap. The veteran Cloudy Morning is in good heart but this trip does appear sharp. Jon Ess should be on the board sooner rather than later and went close again at Navan last time while Top Moon is closely matched with the selection on their Listowel meeting and therefore of some interest too.