14:15 Fairyhouse

Saturday 14 December 2019

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

Happy Christmas From Everyone At Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle (80-102) (Div 1)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 6m 50.00s

Ballymadun^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 102| C

11/1

Won a third hurdle win of his career when landing a Down Royal 2m3½f handicap off a 8lb lower mark on soft ground in March. Beaten on two occasions since but capable of a big run in this company.

Form: 9901-67

Se Mo Laoch^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr E Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: B McMahon| OR: 101

9/2

Not disgraced in a couple of hurdle spins last month at Down Royal and over 3m at Punchestown on soft ground. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: 135-640

Nicole's Milan³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: S Aherne| OR: 96| C

9/1

Winner of two of his 12 starts over hurdles but it has been over a year since his last success over timber. 11th of 16 beaten 20L on latest start in a 2m4f handicap at this track last month and others appear more convincing.

Form: PP-5990

Robin Deuz Pois²⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 90| BF

8/1

13-race maiden without a success in nine starts over hurdles. Last seen finishing fourth of 10 beaten 22L over 3m2f at Sedgefield in February on her final start for trainer Paul Webber. Market likely to reveal expectations on stable debut.

Form: 442324-

Drumconnor Girl⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr C Abernethy⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 86

25/1

Has failed to build on a career best effort at Downpatrick in September with a couple of below-par efforts when making no impression on either start. Hard to make a case for and plenty to prove.

Form: 5763P6

West Of Milan^t1¹⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: P Byrne| OR: 85

33/1

Back from a year's absence when tailed off 33-1 shot at Kilbeggan in May before another disappointing effort at Limerick over 2m4f when last seen in July. Watching brief on return to action.

Form: 190/P-67

Farranreigh⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 83

20/1

Yet to hit the frame in a series of wretched efforts over hurdles. Seventh of 13 beaten over 50L at Clonmel on his latest start earlier this month. Needs to improve on even his best form to play a role here.

Form: 87-8F07

Lee Valley Legacy¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 83

13/2

Seven-race maiden but posted a career best effort finishing fifth of 17 beaten 2L behind Howaya Aoife in a 2m5½f mares' handicap hurdle on soft ground last month. Another bold bid likely.

Form: 0-08705

Sporty Yankee^b,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 82

8/1

Sole success in 17 career starts over hurdles came back in September 2016. Yet to get within 16L of the winner in three starts since September but step up in trip may suit here.

Form: 76-P008

Mlily^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: T Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Rooney| OR: 81

11/4

18-race maiden posted a career best effort earlier this month on soft ground when finishing third of 13 beaten a little over 3L in a Clonmel handicap hurdle. Fancied to go well again.

Form: 75-6P93

Dicey^p1,t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss D O'Shea| OR: 80

11/1

11-race maiden who has produced a mixed bag of efforts in four starts over hurdles since September. Worthy of a market check in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 072004

Spittal Field⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 84

20/1

Seven-race maiden well held and never a factor in a series of below-par efforts since August. Out of sorts recently and hard to fancy in this company.

Form: U06900

Non-Runners

Zambezir²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: N Meade J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Mlily (11/4), Se Mo Laoch (9/2), Lee Valley Legacy (13/2), Zambezir (13/2), Sporty Yankee (8/1), Robin Deuz Pois (8/1), Nicole's Milan (9/1), Ballymadun (11/1), Dicey (11/1), Farranreigh (20/1), Spittal Field (20/1), Drumconnor Girl (25/1), West Of Milan (33/1)

A wide open and tricky contest where weight advantage could be a handy weapon for MLILY. The daughter of Scorpion posted a career best effort earlier this month on soft ground when finishing third of 13 beaten a little over 3L in a Clonmel handicap hurdle and may well have more to offer for the Patrick Rooney yard. The Gordon Elliott pair Robin Deuz Pois and Sporty Yankee are worthy of consideration given the yard boast a 32% win and place strike rate at this meeting in the last three years. Top weight Ballymadun, Punchestown fifth, Lee Valley Legacy and the Noel Meade-trained Zambezir should not be underestimated.