15:00 Navan

Sunday 24 November 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Mervyn Gray Construction Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 5m 54.4s

Velocity Boy¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: William P Murphy| OR: 125| D

33/1

Bounced back to form after two poor efforts when third to De Mazzaro at Galway last month, but failed to build on that effort when weakening tamely after leading here (2m) next time. Something to prove.

Form: 62PP-30

Fit To Be Tied²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: N Madden| OR: 120

5/1

Lightly raced sort who showed much improved form when winning a handicap at Cork (2½m, soft/heavy) last time. Should continue to give a good account now he's found his level.

Form: 3/778-31

From Eden^b,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 116| C

12/1

Had been running well over fences without reward in the summer, and returned from a break to end that frustrating sequence at Fairyhouse 12 days ago. Switches to hurdles now, and should be competitive from a fair mark.

Form: 222371

Goodnightngodbless^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: J Motherway| OR: 116

20/1

Has proven to be a consistent mare over the last year and has not finished out of the frame on her last five completed starts, although that sequence was in danger before she fell at Gowran last time.

Form: 2-1223F

Miles To Memphis⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: A W Short| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 116| C

33/1

Been quite a while since he showed any worthwhile while form on the Flat or over hurdles, and no sign of a revival when down the pack at Punchestown last month.

Form: 4-00760

Russian Bill^t⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 116

20/1

Off the mark over fences when landing a 2m5f Roscommon handicap on heavy ground in September. Respectable fourth of 16 in handicap chase at Cork last time, and has a squeak back over hurdles with a tongue tie refitted.

Form: 054-164

Theatre World¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 116| CD

13/2

Has improved to post two wins in his last three starts, both over C&D. Has gone up 18lb in total, but seems to be thriving, and folly to leave him out of calculations.

Form: 2-34121

Union Gap^b1⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 118| BF

33/1

Running well around 2m in this sphere a year ago, twice finishing second. Beaten at skinny odds on penultimate start, though, and ran badly after a break at Roscommon in September. Blinkered for handicap bow, and plenty to prove.

Form: 9422-30

Mindsmadeup²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: M J Smith| OR: 113

11/2

Landed Downpatrick handicap chase this summer and Listowel handicap hurdle in September, both around 3m. Not disgraced over fences at Cheltenham last time, and needs consideration back over hurdles.

Form: 5-12146

Thegoaheadman^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 112

20/1

Winner at Downpatrick in May, and bounced back from a poor run when a good fourth of 8 in a 3m handicap hurdle at Clonmel last time. Not dismissed out of hand on that run.

Form: 02P-1P4

Mister Fogpatches²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 110

12/1

Runner-up on two of last three starts, and ahead of Thegoaheadman when second to High Sparrow at Clonmel (3m, soft) last time. Enters calculations on that effort.

Form: 73-0252

Notice To Close⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Brian Hayes| T: S Neville| OR: 110

14/1

It was a fairly ordinary maiden hurdle he won at Clonmel on his penultimate start, but does have excuses for a poor run in handicap company last time, his rider compromised as the race began. Forgiven that in isolation.

Form: P15-21P

Stucker Hill¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: W J Lanigan| OR: 110| D

25/1

Ran well when fourth in a mares' handicap over 2½m here earlier in the year, but more recent efforts leave plenty to be desired, and she needs to bounce back to her best to get involved.

Form: 11F4P-9

Ellipsism^t⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112

14/1

Taken time to click, but has won two of last three over hurdles, and produced a career best when winning with a bit to spare at Clonmel last time. A 13lb higher mark demands more, but he's not easily dismissed.

Form: 094191

Cherif De L'Isle¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 107

9/4

Returned from a long absence to finish a highly creditable third to Theatre World over C&D two weeks ago, that his first run since leaving Sue Bramall. Sure to go well if he can avoid the dreaded bounce.

Form: 8150P/3

Oh'herewego^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Ricky Doyle⁽³⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 107

25/1

Stepped up on previous efforts when winning over 3m at Tipperary on penultimate start, but just a respectable sixth to Theatre World here a fortnight ago, and held by a couple of these on that showing.

Form: 0P4216

Caerleon Kate¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: C D Maxwell| T: C A McBratney| OR: 95| D

50/1

Ran respectably when fourth of 10 at Ayr last month, but her efforts either side of that do nothing to inspire confidence in her chances, and she is eligible for weaker races than this.

Form: 450047

Non-Runners

Thereisnodoubt²⁰⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: S Crawley J: Donagh Meyler

Forecasts

Cherif De L'Isle (9/4), Fit To Be Tied (5/1), Mindsmadeup (11/2), Theatre World (13/2), Mister Fogpatches (12/1), From Eden (12/1), Notice To Close (14/1), Ellipsism (14/1), Thereisnodoubt (16/1), Goodnightngodbless (20/1), Thegoaheadman (20/1), Russian Bill (20/1), Oh'herewego (25/1), Stucker Hill (25/1), Velocity Boy (33/1), Miles To Memphis (33/1), Union Gap (33/1), Caerleon Kate (50/1)

THEATRE WORLD has won twice over C&D of late, and while he needs a career best to confirm recent form with Cherif de L'Isle, there is a possibility that rival will bounce on his second quick run after a long absence, and Ross O'Sullivan's charge is worth persevering with. Ellipsism and Fit To Be Tied are recent winners who merit respect despite going up a total of 20lb between them.