15:55 Thurles

Thursday 20 February 2020

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

Killinan Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 46.20s

Cepalo Delafayette⁶⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell

28/1

Four-race maiden over hurdles. Not seen since finishing last of 18 beaten a long way in a Fairyhouse 2m maiden in April 2018. Best watched on return to action.

Form: 310050/

Chesterville^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Gary Noonan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 92

25/1

Sent off at odds of 100/1 on all three hurdling starts so far following his debut in a Listowel maiden hurdle in September. Others hold stronger claims.

Form: 6P904

Gold Des Bois^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington

4/5

Not yet started repaying any of his £100,000 price tag in a couple of below-par efforts over hurdles never posing a threat on any occasion. Could be a lively player in an easier contest.

Form: F1-064

Kildrum^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: M J McDonagh

50/1

Well beaten when never a factor in a couple of starts over timber since December finishing over 50L adrift of the winner on both occasions. Needs to improve.

Form: 3-63209

Michael's Pick^t1¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P E Corbett| T: Mrs D A Love

100/1

Four-race maiden under rules well beaten and no impression in two starts over hurdles, the latest of which at Fairyhouse in November when pulled up before three out. Best avoided on return to action.

Form: P-F507P

Missie's Boy⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S A Shortall| T: Caroline Mccaldin

100/1

Sent off at big prices in a number of starts over timber between October and when last seen in December before running accordingly on each occasion. Little to be positive about.

Form: PF-6900

Rebel Gold^h,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy| T: T Foley

50/1

Nothing of note in bumpers and when finishing well down the pack in a couple of maiden hurdle starts last month. Not one to place a great deal of faith in.

Form: 528900

Witness Cant State^t⁶²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: M Brassil

50/1

Lightly raced gelding by Nickname yet to hit the frame in three starts over hurdles. Looks a tall order on return to the track.

Form: 88/8-

Coolnacritta²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan

100/1

Poor efforts in three career starts over hurdles so far tailing off in December/January before pulling up before two out at Limerick last month. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 00P

Ekanse¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: S A Mulcahy⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan

16/1

Three-race maiden. Well held on three starts over timber so far but could be worth a check in the market stepping up in trip.

Form: 8D6

Granny Knot²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: P F McEnery

14/1

Sixth of 16 beaten 40L on hurdling debut at Naas over 2m3f last month. Form doesn't warrant support in this contest.

Form: 6-06

Handsworth⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 109

7/2

Well beaten in three starts over hurdles when sent off at odds of 100/1 on each occasion. No surprise to see an improved effort in this company.

Form: P008

Amber Wings⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P McNeilly⁽⁷⁾| T: R McNeilly

12/1

Five-race maiden in bumpers posted a career best effort when fourth of 17 in a Punchestown 2m2f contest in December. Worth a market check on hurdling introduction.

Form: 6/97-74

Barangarou^t1³⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: T Foley

66/1

Well beaten and never a factor in a number of starts between January and April last year. Beat watched on stable debut unless market vibes suggest otherwise.

Form: 0000-

Echoes Of Family^t¹⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P Harty⁽⁷⁾| T: E P Harty| OR: 92

33/1

Mixing it between the larger obstacles and hurdles in the last 12 months without success in either code. Has shown signs she could be capable of a big run.

Form: 6P-9596

Golden Apples¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

8/1

Not disgraced in three career starts including on hurdling debut at Roscommon when last seen in August. Market likely to be the best guide on return to the track.

Form: 576

Chelseas Friend^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J J Mangan

50/1

Failed to complete the course in four point-to-point starts before poor efforts in bumpers and over hurdles since May including a 73L defeat at Limerick last month.

Form: FU-8D08

Non-Runners

Mr Lombardi⁴¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: M F Morris J: Phillip Enright

Biko⁵³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 1

Galaxy Girl¹²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: G P Cromwell J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Gold Des Bois (4/5), Handsworth (7/2), Golden Apples (8/1), Biko (10/1), Amber Wings (12/1), Granny Knot (14/1), Ekanse (16/1), Chesterville (25/1), Galaxy Girl (25/1), Cepalo Delafayette (28/1), Echoes Of Family (33/1), Mr Lombardi (33/1), Rebel Gold (50/1), Chelseas Friend (50/1), Witness Cant State (50/1), Kildrum (50/1), Barangarou (66/1), Michael's Pick (100/1), Coolnacritta (100/1), Missie's Boy (100/1)

With only a couple in the race who know how to win it could be worth siding with the Jessica Harrington-trained GOLD DES BOIS. The six-year-old, winner of a point-to-point 12 months ago is clearly better than recent starts suggest and can get off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles. Handsworth has been in rear behind the likes of Blue Sari and The Bosses Oscar since November and should find this an easier task to hit the frame along with the Henry De Bromhead-trained Golden Apples. The Denis Hogan-trained Ekanse could go well at a price.