16:25 Thurles

Thursday 5 March 2020

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 19.1s

Hybery²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

12/1

Disappointed following a bumper win in France on his first two starts over hurdles but showed some signs of ability last time out at Naas; should be able to improve on that effort and looks one of the leading contenders for powerful stable.

Form: 1-996

Multifactorial⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott

10/1

Failed to build on a promising hurdling debut when pulling up when tailed off in a Fairyhouse 2m4f maiden on heavy ground in November; let down by his jumping next time at Tramore in January; deserves another chance and a possible winner.

Form: 221-2P6

West Cork Wildway⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr E P O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: P O'Flynn

5/2

Has shown a certain degree of consistency in his three racecourse appearances, being placed twice over hurdles and winning a bumper at Tipperary in October; looks to be more to come and seems a certain contender.

Form: 11-312

Ballyadam Destiny¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: T O'Brien

20/1

By Martaline; cost €70,000 as a three-year-old and is a brother to hurdles winner Papagana and half-brother to two more winners in France; has been showing some promise on two hurdles starts but not enough to warrant serious consideration yet.

Form: 97

Eklat De Rire¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

6/5

Holds an entry in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next so possibly well regarded; decent performance when runner-up on debut at Punchestown in February; should improve and possible the one they have to beat.

Form: 12

Rekindled^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: M Brassil

100/1

Cost 48,000 euros as a three-year-old; National Hunt bred who is related to plenty of hurdles and chase winners but has shown little signs of ability on two racecourse appearances to date.

Form: 09

All About Joe¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: M M McDonagh⁽⁷⁾| T: Colm Murphy

7/1

Oscar gelding from a fair jumping family. Fifth of 19 on debut at Fairyhouse in January given a ride eventually questioned by the stewards; similar non threatening ride next time at Punchestown; entitled to improve.

Form: 56

Cala Di Volpe⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson

16/1

Hinted at ability in a pair of point-to-points and outran his odds when fourth of 18 at Punchestown in January, though no match for the leading trio; will need to improve again to have a say here.

Form: 6-674

Barangarou^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: T Foley

28/1

Well beaten and never a factor in a number of starts between January and April last year; much better effort to finish runner-up over course and distance last time for new connections; should be fitter here and can run well.

Form: 0000-2

The Wise Maid¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: S A Shortall| T: J P Dempsey

100/1

Has failed to complete on his last four point-to-point contests and cannot be recommended on the basis of that evidence.

Form: 34FU-UP

Jimli⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: D F O'Regan| T: R K Watson

100/1

Sent off at odds of 100/1 on both career starts so far before running accordingly on each occasion; unlikely to be troubling the judge in this contest.

Form: 00

Little Token¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Keeffe

20/1

Plenty of reasons to be pleased with her recent starts at Limerick but distance beaten has to be a concern; needs to bounce back from a fall last time at Punchestown.

Form: 17-443F

Non-Runners

Mount Melleray¹⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: J Motherway J: Darragh O'Keeffe

Forecasts

Eklat De Rire (6/5), West Cork Wildway (5/2), All About Joe (7/1), Multifactorial (10/1), Hybery (12/1), Cala Di Volpe (16/1), Ballyadam Destiny (20/1), Little Token (20/1), Barangarou (28/1), Mount Melleray (33/1), Rekindled (100/1), The Wise Maid (100/1), Jimli (100/1)

WEST CORK WILDWAY has some generally consistent from in the bank and it should not be too long before he gets his head in front. He stayed on well under pressure in the closing stages to take second place on his hurdles debut last tie out following on from a bumper victory. Eklat De Rire was an expensive purchase and is well regarded. Not beaten too far on his hurdles debut at Punchestown late last month, he can be expected to improve and give the selection most to do. Barangarou has appreciated a recent change of scenery and ran well over course and distance last time out.