12:50 Naas

Monday 16 December 2019

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Mares Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 3m 58.4s

Arthur's Baby²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: I J McCarthy| T: M M McNiff

66/1

Won a point in February, but she has been well held in a couple of bumpers since and was never a factor when a remote 14th of 15 on hurdles bow.

Form: 4170-70

Dylan Rock²²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: S O O'Brien| OR: 100

33/1

Showed marked improvement in her second race over hurdles when a staying on fourth of 11 at Tramore over 2m before finishing third of 14 at Wexford. Below that level on return but may have needed the run so better chance here.

Form: 00P43-9

Fortfield Lady⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Burke⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Burke

80/1

Last of 11 at Thurles in second and most recent bumpers suggests her very much one to avoid on hurdles debut.

Form: 60

Glint In Her Eye⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

50/1

Killarney bumper winner before joining this crack yard so disappointing that she has run so moderately in two maidens. Jumping the biggest issue at this stage.

Form: 0-57100

Heliers Bay⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington

66/1

Late progress when 10th of 25 at Navan over 2m4f latest so drop back to 2m far from ideal. Still has better chances than the majority.

Form: 7-0

Miss Aloud³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P Merrigan| T: G Elliott

33/1

Frustrating bumper runner has been placed five times in eight starts in that sphere, including runner-up at Wexford in October. Not disgraced on hurdling introduction at Thurles recently however and claims here for top yard.

Form: 33R6-27

Rhythm Divine³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Donagh Meyler| T: T Gibney| OR: 121

3/1

Placed in all of her first five starts over hurdles including at Listed level before coming unstuck in a warm all sex contest at Punchestown latest. Back in mares only here she can bounce back and probably the one to beat.

Form: 3332-26

She's Commanche^h³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: A Murray

100/1

Tailed off in a Ballinrobe bumper and C&D maiden against the boys. Switch to mares only not enough to have any enthusiasm.

Form: 4/0

Shopping Around¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: J T R Dreaper

66/1

Point-to-point winner was 66/1 and beaten 38L into 19th of 25 on hurdles debut at Fairyhouse against the boys. Hard to fancy.

Form: 21-0

Wailing Woods²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy

50/1

Closely related to Benefit Run winner over hurdles and fences racing between 2m/2m2f. Sixth of 13 beaten over 58L on debut at Fairyhouse last month. Easily opposable.

Form: 6

Western Line^h1,t1²⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Phillip Enright| T: E Cawley

66/1

Beaten 47L and 59L in maiden hurdle races at Tramore and Navan. Headgear added but that not enough to take a chance.

Form: 67-

Yukon Lil²²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

4/7

Dual bumper winner including Listed who chased home crack mare Gypsy Island the last twice in such contests. Bred to be jump a fence one day but highly respected on hurdles debut for champion trainer.

Form: 13142-7

China Princess²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| D

33/1

Bumper winner has met some above average rivals in three hurdle races and although this may be her easiest task to date she has never finished better than 10th so massive step up needed.

Form: 451000

City Ballerina^h⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington

8/1

Ordinary Flat maiden but threatened a few times on the level and her two thirds and most recent fourth suggest she could yet breakthrough over hurdles soon too. Looks best of stable's trio and a live contender.

Form: U34034

Commander Lady²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington

50/1

Filly by Yeats out of an Anshan mare never really got involved on debut at Fairyhouse in a bumper last April. Bred to be better suited by hurdles but best watched here.

Form: 0-

Desert Maid¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Turlough O'connor⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Connor

50/1

Outran 100/1 odds latest when fourth of 17 beaten 19L at Clonmel. No reason she can't run to a comparable level so has place claims here.

Form: 0004

Quiet Lady⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: A M King⁽⁷⁾| T: G Hussey

100/1

At least finished last time (first time in three starts) but was still tailed off so makes no appeal today.

Form: F-P0

Robin Des Ruby⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Ricky Doyle⁽³⁾| T: E Griffin

100/1

Always behind on hurdling debut in a Thurles 2m maiden before unseating at Tramore latest so remains best avoided from a betting perspective.

Form: 0U

Seskin Bonnie¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: P Carey

100/1

Beaten 50L on debut when 14th of 17 at Thurles so can only be watched here.

Form: 0

Tritonix¹⁷

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

12/1

Former bumper winner won over 1m6f on the Flat last summer ending the campaign rated 77. First start over hurdles but for champion hurdle winning trainer so not taken lightly.

Form: 946-1

Walk Me Home

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: G P Cromwell

20/1

Only newcomer here but by legendary sire Galileo and closely related to useful hurdle winners Spades Are Trumps and Ilikedwayurthinkin. One to note in the market for powerful connections.

Form:

Forecasts

Yukon Lil (4/7), Rhythm Divine (3/1), City Ballerina (8/1), Tritonix (12/1), Walk Me Home (20/1), Miss Aloud (33/1), China Princess (33/1), Dylan Rock (33/1), Commander Lady (50/1), Glint In Her Eye (50/1), Desert Maid (50/1), Wailing Woods (50/1), Western Line (66/1), Heliers Bay (66/1), Shopping Around (66/1), Arthur's Baby (66/1), Fortfield Lady (80/1), She's Commanche (100/1), Robin Des Ruby (100/1), Quiet Lady (100/1), Seskin Bonnie (100/1)

A chance is taken here on YUKON LIL for champion trainer Willie Mullins. She was well above average in bumpers yet has an out and out jumps pedigree so could be even better now over hurdles. Rhythm Divine has the best hurdles form on offer and will take advantage of any slip ups by the selection. Others with obvious claims include Miss Aloud and City Ballerina.