14:52 Fairyhouse

Saturday 22 February 2020

All13:4514:1714:5215:2716:0216:3717:12

Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 5m 40.00s

Swordsman^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 129| CD

16/1

Burgeoning chasing career appears to be on hold following a couple of setbacks since October. Winner of a C&D maiden (good) over hurdles 12 months ago but unseated when beaten at Leopardstown latest. This easier but others preferred.

Form: 4P-1FPU

Beyond The Law^p1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: M F Morris| OR: 128| BF| D

10/1

Some of his chase form last term reads quit well with hindsight but three runs this term (two chases, one hurdle) have been underwhelming so would be quite a surprising winner now.

Form: 1-48P65

Court Maid²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 125| D

10/1

Three-time hurdle winner found out backend of last season in Graded races and had misfortune of twice bumping into Treacyenniscorthy this season in three unplaced runs. Not much to suggest her well handicapped at present.

Form: 066-030

Dromore Lad^p1⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 123| CD

7/1

Won first three handicaps between late 2017 and early 2018 but 0-9 since. Stays well and appreciates the ground and if first time cheekpieces can bring improvement he could make the frame here.

Form: 0-54004

Foreign Secretary⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: J Halley| OR: 123

12/1

Limerick juvenile hurdle winner last March had some stern examinations since but will be more at home here after another Graded task latest where he was fifth of eight. Market may help guide in his case.

Form: 3-85375

Allez Kal⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: J Barcoe| OR: 120| D

16/1

Three-time hurdle winner but failed to get competitive in three starts this season. Has ideal conditions here but that been the case in other recent outings.

Form: 141-589

Oscar Knight²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Mark Walsh| T: T Mullins| OR: 117| D

20/1

Never been prolific and losing run now stretches to 22 races and over two years. Well held again latest in competitive Dublin Festival handicap and hard to be confident today.

Form: 37F700

Halsafari^p1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 116| CD

13/2

2m4f Limerick winner in December placed twice since and only just touches off at Naas over this trip earlier in the month. Up 3lb but remains progressive and cheekpieces may eke out extra; leading player.

Form: P51F32

Hareth^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 116| BF| D

10/1

Over a year since last win but second at Cork in January a very solid effort. Only fifth since in stronger race at Navan but certainly capable of making presence felt today.

Form: 7BP-925

Ificudiwud²⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 116| D

8/1

Off the mark at the sixth time of asking at Roscommon in August (2m4f, soft) and now tries his luck handicapping after a break. Yard going through a very quiet spell.

Form: P-23231

Millen To One²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: F J Flood| OR: 113

7/1

Second on handicap debut in a novices handicap at Leopardstown in December before midfield run in novice hurdle at Down Royal latest. Steps into all age company needing a career-best.

Form: 7-44325

Moyode Gold^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: G P Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 104| CD

3/1

Left it very late to make the track but shown significant ability with heavy ground C&D maiden win on heavy followed by never-nearer second over 3m here on handicap debut. Open to more improvement and huge player off feather-weight.

Form: 37F12

Forecasts

Moyode Gold (3/1), Halsafari (13/2), Millen To One (7/1), Dromore Lad (7/1), Ificudiwud (8/1), Court Maid (10/1), Hareth (10/1), Beyond The Law (10/1), Foreign Secretary (12/1), Swordsman (16/1), Allez Kal (16/1), Oscar Knight (20/1)

Few of these appeal as well handicapped but unexposed MOYODE GOLD who has had just five runs including a C&D win and 3m course second on handicap debut is certainly one who likely is and she gets the vote today off bottom weight. Progressive Halsafari continues to run well in similar events and he will almost certainly make a bold bid. Ificudiwud is intriguing, he would have been more fancied but for Noel Meade's team going through a rare barren spell.