14:10 Thurles

Saturday 21 March 2020

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

BetVictor Hurdle

Off time: 14:13 | Winning time: 5m 51.3s

Foreign Secretary^b²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D Kiely⁽⁷⁾| T: J Halley| OR: 121

66/1

Won at 2m over hurdles at Limerick last season but even that form will need improving upon and hasn't been at his best in recent times. Stamina remains unproven at this trip and opposable in reapplied blinkers.

Form: 853758

Brace Yourself³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

13/2

Useful bumper form and made a winning debut over hurdles at 2m at Down Royal last season. This is easier than the Grade 2 he was well held in last time and not ruled out despite unproven stamina.

Form: 32/1-7F6

Ferocious^b³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott

25/1

Won a 2m5f maiden hurdle for his top stable at Tramore in December but beaten twice since, including pulled up last time. Has something to find and others are preferred.

Form: 0-512P

Karl Der Grosse⁴⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

11/1

Won a 2m maiden hurdle at this track in August 2018. Latest pulled up run here on last month's seasonal debut here is a concern and has stamina to prove but he is a lightly raced horse from a top stable and has to be respected.

Form: 3/13P-

Cartwright^b³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

50/1

Good horse on the Flat and over hurdles in the past and would have live chance if refinding peak form. Nowhere near his best lately though, last time returned to hurdles, and risky proposition at present. Blinkers back on instead of cheekpieces.

Form: 000900

Jetz²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 142

3/1

Useful chaser at his best but has had an underwhelming season in that sphere. Ran well when clear second to easy winner when returned to hurdles at Leopardstown last time and this return to this longer trip isn't an issue so holds leading chance.

Form: 53F652

Jaime Sommers²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 116

80/1

Not as talented as her celebrated dam Solerina but has still won four races, including two over hurdles. Doubtful she'll be adding to that tally judging by latest hurdles efforts and shorter trip preferable. Back hurdling after recent AW spins.

Form: 503445

Mary Frances³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hassett| OR: 134| C

6/5

Front-runner who is a C&D winner in the past. Has some useful form this season, including when making all to win a competitive 3m handicap at Punchestown last time. Good chance on that form.

Form: 6-22751

Moyhenna^p1⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 129

11/2

Failed to complete over fences on last two starts and current form is an issue back hurdling. Winner over hurdles in 2018 and she was a good front-running novice chaser last spring, including winning at Punchestown festival. Cheekpieces return now.

Form: U1-18FP

Forecasts

Mary Frances (6/5), Jetz (3/1), Moyhenna (11/2), Brace Yourself (13/2), Karl Der Grosse (11/1), Ferocious (25/1), Cartwright (50/1), Foreign Secretary (66/1), Jaime Sommers (80/1)

This can go the useful front-running mare MARY FRANCES, a C&D winner in the past who was back to winning ways in a competitive handicap at Punchestown last time and has a good chance on that form. Her young rider won a top handicap chase at Naas earlier this month and this mare makes plenty of appeal. Jetz ran very well last time when second at Leopardstown and stays this longer trip, so he is a respected main danger. Karl Der Grosse may still be open to improvement for Willie Mullins and cannot be discounted despite a disappointing run here last time, 13 months ago.