13:50 Down Royal

Tuesday 28 January 2020

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Molson Coors Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 11.80s

Carrigmoorna Pine²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 125

12/1

Off the mark at just the third time of asking landing a Clonmel maiden hurdle in December before falling when challenging for the lead two flights from home at Cork; excellent chance if no worse the wear for that upset.

Form: 14-851F

Opposites Attract³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin| CD

9/4

Has made steady progress over hurdles culminating in a fine win over course and distance at the end of December; capable of improving again and should go very well.

Form: 325-431

Without Limites^b1³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 122| D

14/1

Won over hurdles on his first run for 12 months when landing a Gowran Park contest over 2m4f in October; pulled up last time out over fences; difficult to assess but has got ability.

Form: 3F6/9-1P

Momus²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 120| D

8/1

Earlier progression appears to have leveled out, but a little early to be writing off just yet.; not the most fluent of jumpers and needs to iron out that problem before he can be considered solid betting material.

Form: 3236-95

Fakir^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: O R Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 121

4/1

French bumper winner who has shown promise in all four hurdles starts since joining this trainer winning last time out at Limerick over 2m; step up in trip a no concern and not without a chance if progressing again.

Form: 1-5761

Our Friend⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 121| D

8/1

Kept on well to win a maiden hurdle at Wexford in October but his limitations may have been exposed when placed but never threatened last time out at Fairyhouse; deserves another chance but may find a few too good.

Form: 13

Trevena³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 120

16/1

Has been running well in maiden hurdle company without ever looking like getting her head in front; hard to see why she will be more capable in this better company.

Form: 324

Father Ailbe³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 119

25/1

Returns to novice company after being given an unrealistic mark following a success at Limerick in November; not certain to stay this extra half mile but should run his race and experience counts for plenty.

Form: 043410

Arahecan³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 115

12/1

Was showing good promise in maiden hurdles (runner-up twice) before making a bad mistake at the final flight (when beaten) last time out at Limerick; could be capable of bouncing.

Form: 2/4P-227

Millen To One³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Dempsey| T: F J Flood| OR: 113

10/1

Fair efforts in maiden hurdles at Clonmel before Christmas earned him a crack at handicap company and nearly rewarded backers with a fine effort in second place at Leopardstown; more progress needed but holds every chance.

Form: 5/7-4432

Stormy Judge³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 112

9/1

Four-race maiden but posted a career best effort on his latest start in a Limerick 3m contest on heavy ground finishing second of 13 in December; another with fair claims in a wide-open contest.

Form: 867522

Non-Runners

Gun Merchant¹⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Forecasts

Opposites Attract (9/4), Fakir (4/1), Momus (8/1), Our Friend (8/1), Stormy Judge (9/1), Millen To One (10/1), Gun Merchant (10/1), Arahecan (12/1), Carrigmoorna Pine (12/1), Without Limites (14/1), Trevena (16/1), Father Ailbe (25/1)

FAKIR did little wrong when winning last time out at Limerick and his trainer has reported this step up in trip should be no problem. If progressing again he may take all the beating in this interesting novice's event. Opposites Attract is on a upwards curve and did little wrong when winning last time out over course and distance. He will have plenty of supporters to follow up that victory. Carrigmoorna Pine could arguably have been coming into this race looking for a hat-trick but a fall close home last time out put paid to that. He had previously won well at Clonmel and look to have fair chance in this contest.