13:35 Fairyhouse

Saturday 30 November 2019

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:15

Kettles Country House Supporting Fingal Ravens GAA Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:38 | Winning time: 4m 11.9s

Bentham¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| D

25/1

Not disgraced when fourth in a slightly weaker affair at Fairyhouse (2m; soft to heavy) when last seen. That was much more encouraging than his hurdles debut effort the time before that. Bit to find on form with the leading players though.

Form: 161164

Conflated^h¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

10/1

More experience than most of his rivals, and his form when giving weight away to high-class mares in the shape of Midnight Run and Colreevy at Cork (2m; soft) is high-class form. Strong claims if able to reproduce that.

Form: U241-F3

Coppercoast Paudie¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney| T: Ms M Flynn

100/1

Tailed-off on hurdles/rules debut at Cork (2m; soft) earlier this month. This looks to be as competitive, and so he must remain best watched until showing far more encouragement.

Form: 8

Fire Away^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G T Hourigan

66/1

The race he finished second in on hurdles debut at Wexford (3m; good to yielding) back in June was poor form. Thus, it was no surprise to see him outclassed in a hotter contest at Cork (2m; soft). Similar fate awaits him again.

Form: 621-027

January Jets²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington

14/1

Bought for €115,000 after hosing up by 10-length in a point-to-point, beating a rival who is unbeaten in two starts since joining Phillip Hobbs. Fascinating contender on rules/hurdles debut and likely to play a leading role.

Form: F1-

Junius Brutus⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: Caroline Mccaldin| D

100/1

Not getting any younger, and patchy record in point-to-points speaks for itself. Unseated his rider after a sketchy jump at the first on hurdles debut only last week, and has no chance in this.

Form: 51/FP5-U

Legacy Thor^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr B G Crawford⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford

33/1

Enjoyed a productive spell in bumpers, including when third to a well-supported Gigginstown inmate at Down Royal (2m; soft) earlier in the month. Now makes hurdles debut and would have place claims if able to reproduce that form.

Form: 62-13

Sempo^t²⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: J P O'Brien| D

6/4

Finished sixth in one of the hottest Champion Bumpers we have seen in recent years at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. First four from that race have all come out and made winning hurdles debut. Major player as he bids to do the same.

Form: 4316-

Streets Of Doyen²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P J McGrath⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| D

100/1

Sixth on return to action in what is usually an above-average bumper at Down Royal (2m; soft) at the start of the month. Now begins hurdles career, but he is comfortably held by Bentham on their meeting at Bellewstown (2m; good) back in July.

Form: 146

The Tack Room

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: J E Kiely

100/1

Son of Milan who cost €145,000 as a three-year-old. Related to the high-class pair of Bobs Worth and Briar Hill. Difficult to know what to expect from him on debut, but does look the part on paper.

Form:

You Raised Me Up^h,t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J J Codd| T: M Brassil

7/2

Posted a pair of very promising runner-up efforts on both starts over hurdles so far. Second to a potentially very useful rival most recently. Would hold solid place claims on that form in this similarly competitive affair.

Form: 34/1-422

Baba Boom⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: N P Madden| T: J P Murtagh| C

33/1

Climbed the handicap ranks on the flat in style last season notching a hat-trick. Unable to show that same progression off a higher mark in just two starts on the level this year. Now makes hurdles debut and should have a future over obstacles.

Form:

Bread And Butter¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell

100/1

Form ties in closely with Diamond Grove and Breezy Bell after the trio finished well-beaten in a Punchestown (2m4f; soft) maiden hurdle This isn't any easier, and so he cannot be taken seriously until seen in a weaker contest.

Form: 0

Cedarwood Road²¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: G O'Loughlin

50/1

Finished down the field in a bumper at Punchestown (2m; yielding to soft) back in April on rules debut. That was a hot contest, and this is similarly competitive so it is difficult to make a case for him.

Form: 9

Diamond Grove¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Phillip Enright| T: E Cawley

100/1

Point-to-point runner-up who suffered a heavy defeat on hurdles/rules debut at Punchestown (2m4f; soft) just two weeks ago. Masses to find off the back of that and is readily opposed for now.

Form: 2-0

Fan Fan La Tulipe⁴⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/2

Winner of a 1m4f maiden on the flat in France. Subsequently purchased by leading stable who are currently operating at a 41% strike-rate. Must defy 465-day absence, but likely to make a bold bid in what is an open contest on hurdles debut.

Form:

Joshua Webb²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| D

14/1

Stayed on very strongly to make a winning return to action when successful in a Navan (2m; soft to heavy) bumper earlier this month. Half-brother Alamein was a talented sort so h should improve for a hurdle. Place claims.

Form: 8-1

Somptueux²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

20/1

Runner-up on his only start which came in a point-to-point at Loughbrickland (3m; yielding to soft) back in April. Bit of an unknown quantity, but he is respected coming from this yard. Any market support should be noted.

Form: 2-

The Gabby Cabby²³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington

66/1

Took a backwards step from promising debut effort when only ninth of 14 in a bumper at Ballinrobe (2m1f; good) in April. Now returns to action and is sent over hurdles which should see him in a better light, but he does have a little bit to prove.

Form: 49-

Whirling Dervish⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell

25/1

Talented sort on the level (rated 94) who now makes transition to hurdles sphere. Will be fit from exertions under that code, so provided he jumps he should have some sort of role to play.

Form:

Durrow Dancer^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: P Merrigan| T: P W Flynn

100/1

Showed no improvement from quiet hurdles debut effort when only eighth at Thurles (2m; yielding to soft) last month. This will be her third career start within the space of a month so connections evidently want to qualify her for handicaps.

Form: 08

Shopping Around²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: J T R Dreaper

66/1

Point-to-point winner who now has first start under rules. Not a forlorn hope, but is unlikely she will make much of an impact in a 2m maiden-hurdle. Of interest when stepped up in trip.

Form: 21-

Breezy Bell¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: E Cawley

100/1

Ran in accordance with odds of 66-1 when a tailed-off 15th of 22 on hurdles debut at Punchestown (2m4f; soft). Cannot be fancied in a similarly competitive affair. Look elsewhere for more realistic alternatives.

Form: 0

Lost Oscar²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: Peter Fahey| D

40/1

On paper, this looks a little bit easier than the stiff task she was set on hurdles debut at Down Royal (2m; soft) earlier this month. Still required to step up a little bit, even if this is a slightly weaker contest.

Form: 17

Reverse Polarity²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Ricky Doyle⁽³⁾| T: M Fahey

100/1

First ever career start when 11th of 22 over hurdles at Cork (2m; soft to heavy) at the start of the month. Likely to be seen in a better light with more experience under her belt and dropped in grade once she qualifies for a handicap mark.

Form: 0

Non-Runners

La Feline²¹⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: P Nolan J: Reserve 1

Elusive Rebeldom⁵³

Weight: 11-9| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 2

Desire De Joie⁷⁰⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Sempo (6/4), You Raised Me Up (7/2), Fan Fan La Tulipe (7/2), Conflated (10/1), January Jets (14/1), Joshua Webb (14/1), Elusive Rebeldom (14/1), Somptueux (20/1), Bentham (25/1), Whirling Dervish (25/1), Legacy Thor (33/1), Baba Boom (33/1), Lost Oscar (40/1), Cedarwood Road (50/1), Desire De Joie (50/1), Fire Away (66/1), The Gabby Cabby (66/1), Shopping Around (66/1), The Tack Room (100/1), Junius Brutus (100/1), Diamond Grove (100/1), Breezy Bell (100/1), Bread And Butter (100/1), Coppercoast Paudie (100/1), Streets Of Doyen (100/1), Durrow Dancer (100/1), Reverse Polarity (100/1), La Feline (100/1)

An intriguing maiden-hurdle with a whole host of interesting profiles on show. Not least January Jets whose point-to-point victory is starting to look impressive. He has claims, but Conflated is preferred out of those two for now given the experience edge and recent form that the Gigginstown runner has to his name. Willie Mullins's French recruits must always be respected and that is the case with Fan Fan La Tulipe, though he has a big absence to defy. Therefore, preference is to stick with the proven form and go for SEMPO who finished sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. That form is red-hot and he can make a winning hurdles debut on his return to action.