14:10 Thurles

Sunday 19 January 2020

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5016:20

Matty Ryan Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 56.60s

Cliff House²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 130| D

25/1

Versatile sort running well in defeat on the Flat, over hurdles and the larger obstacles last year. Hard to fancy on overall evidence and others hold sturdier claims in this event.

Form: 252430

Pakens Rock⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: O R Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Murphy| OR: 129| C

4/1

Course winner that has also won over this trip. Landed a couple of hurdling contests at Galway in September/October before a number of subsequent disappointments. Others preferred.

Form: 71134P

Texard^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| D

3/1

Deservedly off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles when landing a Cork novice hurdle over 2m on soft ground earlier this month. Another bold bid likely.

Form: 34641

Polished Steel^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 121| CD

6/1

C&D winner, won for the second time over hurdles when landing a Punchestown handicap hurdle off a 5lb lower mark over this trip in May. Still in touch when falling four out last month and worth another chance here.

Form: 0-1600F

Like An Open Book⁷³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: M P Burke⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Burke| OR: 120| CD

14/1

Veteran who has a win and a place from five starts over C&D. Well held in a couple of starts over hurdles in October/November and may find life difficult still racing 13lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 533555

Accidental Rebel²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 106

9/4

Posted a career best effort when finishing second of 25 beaten ½L behind Fauguernon in a Leopardstown 2m novice handicap hurdle on St Stephens day off a 4lb lower mark. Entitled to have designs on more prize money.

Form: 963-572

Bajan Excell²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 118| D

6/1

Off the mark at the third time of asking for connections landing a 2m Limerick maiden hurdle on heavy ground on St Stephens day. Looks to be an improving sort and merits plenty of respect.

Form: 3U1

Non-Runners

Bua Boy²²

Weight: 10-5| Age: 5

T: D Hogan J: D G Hogan

Forecasts

Accidental Rebel (9/4), Texard (3/1), Pakens Rock (4/1), Polished Steel (6/1), Bajan Excell (6/1), Like An Open Book (14/1), Cliff House (25/1), Bua Boy (25/1)

TEXARD got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles when landing a Cork novice hurdle over 2m on soft ground earlier this month and can continue his development in this contest. The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old can land the spoils at the expense of four-race maiden Accidental Rebel for trainer Henry De Bromhead who won this contest 12 months ago with King Of Brega. Bajan Excell winner at the third time of asking at Limerick over Christmas and Pakens Rock who is better than his last run suggests can battle for the minor honours.