15:00 Down Royal

Tuesday 17 March 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Cleary Contracting Ltd Novice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 30.5s

Groody Rover¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: P Fenton| OR: 120

7/1

Showed a good attitude to win a maiden hurdle last time out at Clonmel having shown some bits and pieces of form previously; interesting to see how he copes on handicap debut and this step up in trip.

Form: 331-701

Bachelor^t²⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J S McGarvey| T: N C Kelly| OR: 119

66/1

Still a maiden but showed some useful form in defeat in June last year; only appeared once more when below his best at Sligo in July and this may be tough after such a long absence.

Form: 2F5-237

Lily's Gem^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 109| D

13/2

Aside from the occasional poor run she is a consistent mare who was rewarded for some fair efforts in defeat when scoring well last time out at Carlisle (well supported); more on her plate here but in fine heart and not easy to dismiss.

Form: 328341

Magic Sea¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Dawson| OR: 108| C

13/2

Off the mark at the 13th time of asking when landing a handicap hurdle over 2m1f in December at this course; found things tougher off his revised mark but latest run was encouraging and one who deserves closer inspection.

Form: 946105

Fag An Bealach⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A L T Moore| OR: 107| BF| C

3/1

Romped home to win by 15L on debut in a bumper at this track, before disappointing against Grade 3 opponents in the spring; promising efforts over hurdles when running well in defeat on all three starts since October but below par last time.

Form: 1-03427

Granny Knot²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: P F McEnery| OR: 106

13/2

Surprise winner of maiden hurdle over 2m5f last time at Thurles but showed a good attitude that day in the closing stages; step back in trip not entirely expected to suit but should run his race.

Form: 6-061

Metal Man¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 118

12/1

Took a while to get the hang of things over hurdles but put his best foot forward last time when making virtually all to score well at Navan; this does not look too tough on handicap debut and is one for the shortlist.

Form: U0581

Nathaniel's Dream^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: R M Power| T: A J Martin| OR: 106

20/1

Has only shown glimpses of ability over hurdles and certainly not enough to suggest he is ready to win a race but probably worth a check in the betting to ascertain stable enthusiasm.

Form: 6-76950

Mc Alpine³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: C D Maxwell| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 102

13/2

Posted a career best effort to finish second of 15 beaten 1¼L in a Naas 2m3f handicap on penultimate start but regressed last time when failing to finish at Gowran Park; needs to bounce back to have any chance.

Form: 42662P

So Near So Farhh³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 99| C

11/2

Put all known form behind her to score well on handicap debut here on penultimate start; struggled slightly last time out at Navan off revised mark and could be similar story again.

Form: 50016

Forecasts

Fag An Bealach (3/1), So Near So Farhh (11/2), Magic Sea (13/2), Granny Knot (13/2), Mc Alpine (13/2), Lily's Gem (13/2), Groody Rover (7/1), Metal Man (12/1), Nathaniel's Dream (20/1), Bachelor (66/1)

Gordon Elliot traditionally does well at this meeting and his METAL MAN is taken to follow up his recent maiden hurdle success Navan on his handicap debut. It took a while for the four-year-old to get the hang of things over hurdles but with his confidence up he can land this especially if given a soft lead. Granny Knot showed some good battling qualities to score on only his second run over hurdles last time at Punchestown. If this slight step back in trip does not inconvenience him them he can go well. Strong market support for recent winner Lily's Gem would suggest a degree of stable confidence and it should be noted.