15:15 Limerick

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Mr. Binman Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 2.40s

Halsafari³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 110| C

7/1

Useful 116-rated novice hurdler hasn't looked a winner in waiting in a number of starts last month and may need a few to falter.

Form: 1P8-04P

Kavanaghs Corner²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 106

6/1

Won for a third time over the larger obstacles when landing a nine runner Clonmel 2m handicap chase on soft ground in October off an 11lb lower mark. Gallant second of 12 recently and appears to have every chance of going close in this contest.

Form: 15-31P2

Sweet As A Nut^t⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr E P O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: Michael Barry| OR: 106| C

11/1

One from five over the larger obstacles and not seen under rules since finishing fifth of seven well held at Naas in February. Others look more convincing.

Form: F5/605-4

Tongie¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: S G McDermott| T: P A Fahy| OR: 105| C

20/1

Miserly return of one win from 25 starts over fences. Never a factor in a number of wretched displays since September and faces a tough ask in this company.

Form: P-P05F6

Solar Heat³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: M A Enright| T: D Hogan| OR: 102| D

12/1

Daughter of Jeremy has been kept busy of late over fences and hurdles. Winner of one of his 10 starts over the larger obstacles the mare could be of interest now down to her last winning mark.

Form: 044319

Young Dev²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr D Skehan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 101| C

11/10

Won for the second time over hurdles when landing a Limerick 2m5f handicap hurdle last month on soft/heavy ground. Capable of transferring that form over fences.

Form: 006P61

The Ballyboys^b²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: D J McInerney| T: R Hackett| OR: 95| C

4/1

Yet to hit the frame in 10 starts over fences. Down the field in a number of starts over hurdles since October. Interesting return over the larger obstacles representing a yard known for readying one at this meeting.

Form: 6-P5479

Shrewdoperator^p,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: K J Brouder⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 93

20/1

Winner of three of his 21 starts over fences with last win coming over 18 months ago in a Cork 2m handicap chase. Has failed to complete in three of his last four starts and remains easy to oppose.

Form: 33-P6PP

Just Call Me^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: B J Cooper| T: A J McNamara| OR: 92

16/1

Well held when failing to hit the frame in three career starts over fences so far. Infrequent visits to the track will not be helping the gelding to progress in the game.

Form: 6984/U6

Forecasts

Young Dev (11/10), The Ballyboys (4/1), Kavanaghs Corner (6/1), Halsafari (7/1), Sweet As A Nut (11/1), Solar Heat (12/1), Just Call Me (16/1), Tongie (20/1), Shrewdoperator (20/1)

YOUNG DEV demolished a 14 runner field in a Limerick handicap hurdle last month and can transfer that form over the larger obstacles racing 12lbs lower than his mark over timber. The Denis Hogan-trained gelding can hold off the attentions of gallant veteran Kavanagh's Corner for trainer Henry De Bromhead while top weight Halsafari and Solar Heat can compete for remaining prize money. The Ballyboys for trainer Ray Hackett should not be underestimated representing a yard that are known to ready one at this meeting.