12:05 Navan

Sunday 10 November 2019

All12:0512:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50

navanracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle (80-116)

Off time: 12:05 | Winning time: 5m 45.6s

Castello Sforza⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 116

25/1

Will have disappointed high profile connections with a number of dismal efforts since returning from two years off in March. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 203/0-40

The Church Gate^t²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: M J Smith| OR: 114| BF| D

9/1

Drops back to hurdles following a number of below-par efforts over the larger obstacles in the spring. In fine form over hurdles winning his last two in big fields around this time last year. Likely to be in the mix.

Form: 3114R2-

The Dabbler²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 113

16/1

Four-race maiden. Ran no sort of race on handicap debut in a Fairyhouse 2m4f novice contest when last seen in April, weakening before tailing off to finish last but one in the 15-runner contest.

Form: 5/86570-

Gagas Horse¹⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 111

16/1

The run at Ballinrobe in April now appears to flatter the Kayf Tara gelding given a number of below-par efforts either side of the contest. Others more appealing on return to action.

Form: 9P83-90

Bay Ambition³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 110| D

5/1

Improved on debut for current yard when third of 14 in September before getting off the mark for connections at the fourth time of asking when landing a Downpatrick contest over 2m6½f contest last month. Another bold show likely.

Form: 1/P-31

Oh'herewego^p³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Ricky Doyle⁽³⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 107

8/1

Back to winning ways when landing a Tipperary 3m½f handicap hurdle for the second year running last month off a 7lb lower mark. Life more difficult off a career high mark.

Form: 00P421

Theatre World²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Dempsey| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Rewarded for previous consistency when front-running tactics worked wonders when scoring over C&D in September before attempting to repeat the feat at Limerick last month before being headed after the sixth obstacle stepping up in trip. Claims.

Form: 32-3412

Cherif De L'Isle⁷⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 106

7/1

Hurdles winner in France but struggled in three starts here when last seen two years ago. Possible best watched on stable debut unless market vibes suggest otherwise for leading connections.

Form: 8150P/

Broomfield's Oscar⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 104

10/1

Daughter of Oscar out of a Bach mare. Dam unraced half-sister to Champion bumper winner Dunguib. Improving sort, running with credit in a couple of maiden hurdles in April and on return to action in September. Steps up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 62-4

Flemenstorm^h,t³¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: C D Timmons⁽³⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 102| C| D

14/1

Veteran course winner that has also won over this trip. Still running with credit over the larger obstacles last year. Last seen finishing third of 10 beaten over 15L in December. Possibly best watched on return.

Form: 2221/43-

King Alex^h1²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: K H Clarke| OR: 102

25/1

Six-race maiden well down the field over hurdles and fences last season when finding the company too hot. First time hood unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 090846-

Famous Day^h1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 101| CD

33/1

Has just the one success to her name from 23 starts over hurdles. Struggling in a number of starts since returning to the track in July and first time hood unlikely to spark enough improvement.

Form: F-07B08

Blue Empyrean^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 99

9/1

Former Gordon Elliott inmate who won a bumper for him over three years ago. Suffered a number of heavy defeats last season but bounced back to form at Punchestown last month finishing third of 15 beaten 7¼L over 2m4f. Needs to back that effort up.

Form: FP800-3

Electricitywork³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: Gary McGill| OR: 96

14/1

It appears the penny has started to drop for the Arctic Cosmos gelding in a couple of promising efforts at Downpatrick in the last couple of months. More than likely than some to run his race.

Form: 0P-80D2

Pistol Shoot^b,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 95

20/1

Posted a career best effort when finishing second of four beaten 1¼L in a Perth 3m handicap chase before pulling up some way out in a Tramore 2m6f chase last month. Five race maiden over hurdles and not the most reliable of sorts.

Form: 14972P

Rightdownthemiddle^b,t¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 92| BF| D

16/1

Encouraging second of 10 beaten 2¼L in an Ayr 3m½f handicap hurdle on soft ground last month on the veterans first start for this yard. Possibilities of grabbing a place now racing 29lb lower than last winning mark.

Form: 906-6P2

Non-Runners

Star Adventure⁴⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: N Meade J: E Walsh

Castle Canny⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 5

T: B R Hamilton J: Sean O'Keeffe

Forecasts

Theatre World (7/2), Bay Ambition (5/1), Cherif De L'Isle (7/1), Oh'herewego (8/1), The Church Gate (9/1), Blue Empyrean (9/1), Star Adventure (10/1), Broomfield's Oscar (10/1), Electricitywork (14/1), Flemenstorm (14/1), The Dabbler (16/1), Rightdownthemiddle (16/1), Gagas Horse (16/1), Pistol Shoot (20/1), King Alex (25/1), Castello Sforza (25/1), Castle Canny (25/1), Famous Day (33/1)

The Matthew Smith-trained THE CHURCH GATE can continue his excellent form over hurdles by landing the opener. The son of Golden Tornado was in fine form over hurdles winning his last two in big fields around this time last year and can hold off the attentions of a rejuvenated Rightdownthemiddle on his second start for trainer Gordon Elliott. The tough and genuine C&D winner Theatre World can compete with Electricitywork for remaining prize money. The Gavin Cromwell-trained Bay Ambition should not be underestimated following on handicap debut while Broomfield's Oscar can go well at a price.