15:25 Thurles

Thursday 20 February 2020

All13:5514:2514:5515:2515:5516:2516:55

Markaye Contracts Ltd Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 26.10s

French Dynamite^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: M F Morris| OR: 134| CD

9/4

Won for the second time over fences when landing a five runner contest earlier this month over C&D. Entered in the Albert Bartlett and Ballymore at the Cheltenham festival. Yard in good form and shortlisted here.

Form: 1151

Assemble^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 140| D

3/1

Overwhelmed in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown earlier in the month. Better than that run suggests and holds an entry in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival.

Form: 3/44-116

Cavalry Master⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 124| BF

10/1

Couldn't follow up his all the way maiden hurdle success at Punchestown in November when attempting the same at Leopardstown last time out. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: 8-1415

Ferocious^b⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

20/1

Won on hurdling debut in a low key contest at Tramore in December before being no match for Tiger Tap Tap at Clonmel last month. Respected yard won this contest in 2018 with Blow By Blow.

Form: 0-512

Five O'Clock²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/1

French recruit was turned over at 1/4 on Irish debut at Tramore before winning at Limerick over Christmas. Yard have not got the greatest record in this contest, winning in 2008 and 2017 in the last 12 years.

Form: 0/32-21

Front View⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 134

13/2

Has done little wrong of late and only blemish is a defeat at the hands of the unbeaten Envoi Allen. Exciting prospect.

Form: 2B-121

Home By The Lee¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| D

14/1

Winner at Fairyhouse last month but finished last of eight at Leopardstown in a Grade 1 contest on latest start earlier this month. Interesting jockey booking.

Form: 11218

The Little Yank¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Liam Quinlan| T: J P Ryan| OR: 122

50/1

Well beaten and never a factor in a Grade 3 contest at Limerick in December before disappointing in Graded company at Punchestown and Leopardstown earlier this month.

Form: 116256

Drury¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133

7/1

Failed to land a hat-trick of wins at Leopardstown earlier this month, puling up when reportedly 'never travelling'. Leading trainer with just two winners, Cooldine/Tin Soldier since 2008.

Form: 12311P

Forecasts

French Dynamite (9/4), Assemble (3/1), Front View (13/2), Five O'Clock (7/1), Drury (7/1), Cavalry Master (10/1), Home By The Lee (14/1), Ferocious (20/1), The Little Yank (50/1)

The Joseph O'Brien-trained FRONT VIEW can land the spoils in the feature event. The five-year-old can build on a fine win at Cork in November at the expense of C&D winner French Dynamite who can emerge as the biggest danger representing a resurgent Mouse Morris yard. Assemble is better than his last run suggests and holds an entry in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival can compete for remaining prize money with Drury for the trainer/jockey combination of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.