14:40 Limerick

Sunday 15 March 2020

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:20

Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 31.1s

Cherif De L'Isle^b¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 109| BF

3/1

Has not finished out of the places in any of his last five outings and while his consistency is in his favour, the handicapper has been taking note; certainly solid place material but may struggle to win once again.

Form: P/33332

Notice To Close⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr M J O'Connor| T: S Neville| OR: 108

10/1

Maiden hurdle he won at Clonmel (2m) in October was uncompetitive, and he's been well held in handicaps since. Has dropped just 2lb for those efforts, and hard to make a strong case for him on balance.

Form: 5-21P05

Cala Di Volpe¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 108

33/1

Hinted at ability in a pair of point-to-points and outran his odds when fourth of 18 at Punchestown in January; well beaten at Thurles recently let down by his jumping, others preferred on handicap debut.

Form: 6-6745

Moyode Gold^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 107| BF

10/3

Left it very late to make the track but shown significant ability with heavy ground maiden win at Fairyhouse followed by two placed efforts at same track; up in the handicap but could still be progressive; one to consider.

Form: 37F122

Seskinane¹²

Age: 14| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: B McMahon| OR: 105| D

16/1

Took advantage of tumbling handicap mark to score well on penultimate start at Navan over 2m7f; more needed now by the likeable veteran now the handicapper has had a say but solid place claims nevertheless.

Form: 4-98516

Citizen Al¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 100| D

28/1

Just the one win from 13 starts over hurdles and the daughter of Milan has been struggling to complete in a number of starts over the past year; probably needs more help from the handicapper.

Form: 2U-0F0U

Offshore Oscar²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 100

8/1

Made useful come back after a long absence to run well at Fairyhouse recently (4th of 21); if able to build on that he certainly has each-way possibilities.

Form: 8123P-4

First Class Return^b1¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: K J Brouder| T: E Doyle| OR: 99

9/2

Blinkered first time for a return to hurdling after being consistent but winless over fences; does not look particularly well handicapped and may have to wait some more time for his initial success (0-19 under rules).

Form: 256434

Nicole's Milan^b¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Aherne| OR: 97

16/1

Slightly disappointed last time at Leopardstown having hinted at a return to form on penultimate start at Punchestown over an extended three miles; another who is probably too high in the weights to go close.

Form: 908427

Sweet Sting¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe| OR: 98

40/1

Off the mark on hurdling debut in a Tramore maiden hurdle over 2m4f in August; has been below par since then and likely to need much more help from the handicapper before getting back to winning ways.

Form: 1U0760

Spancil Hill¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 96

14/1

Generally consistent and put in an above average performance last time at Navan (where he normally runs well); not too far off his last winning mark and warrants consideration.

Form: 0P4473

The Ballyboys^b¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: D J McInerney| T: R Hackett| OR: 96| C

40/1

Has been mixing up chasing and hurdling of late; has a fair record over timber but is without a win since 2018 off a mark of 92; seems like another who would appreciate some help from the handicapper.

Form: 479257

Ballea Fox^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: S Spillane| OR: 93| C

12/1

Won for the second time over hurdles when landing a Punchestown 3m handicap hurdle last month off a 4lb lower mark; found things tougher last time of that mark at Clonmel in similar conditions and bounce back needed.

Form: P95216

Forecasts

Cherif De L'Isle (3/1), Moyode Gold (10/3), First Class Return (9/2), Offshore Oscar (8/1), Notice To Close (10/1), Ballea Fox (12/1), Spancil Hill (14/1), Nicole's Milan (16/1), Seskinane (16/1), Citizen Al (28/1), Cala Di Volpe (33/1), The Ballyboys (40/1), Sweet Sting (40/1)

MOYODE GOLD has been in fine and consistent form since winning at Fairyhouse in January. Given the lack of genuine contenders in this contest it may pay to side with the mare who has a willing attitude and seems to be still progressing. Cherif De L'Isle really deserves a break from the handicapper but his consistent efforts off little opportunity to drop him a few pounds. Expect him to go close here without winning. Seskinane is another who is a little too much in the grip of the handicapper but that won't stop him running his usual solid race.