14:35 Tipperary

Friday 26 June 2020

All13:0013:3014:0014:3515:0515:3516:05

TipperaryRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 6m 24.5s

Thunder Down Under¹³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 115

8/13

Has been knocking on the door in maiden hurdles and handicaps since winning his bumper at Folkestone in January 2019; should not be too long before breaking his maiden tag.

Form: 5/48324-

Ballylig¹²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: D E Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell

33/1

Plenty to like about debut third of nine 11L behind Andy Dufresne at Down Royal in January 2019 but was pretty awful in two subsequent appearances including once over hurdles; obviously has some talent but best watched.

Form: 3/90-

Doyler's Mate¹⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: L Lennon

150/1

Seventh foal; half-brother to point winner School Lane; pulled up in all five point-to-points starts to date and very difficult to recommend.

Form: P/PPP-

Rehins Boy¹¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Michael E Hallinan

150/1

First foal; dam well beaten bumpers, half-sister to useful 2m hurdle winner Snapdragon Fire; fell and pulled up in two point-to-point runs; difficult to assess on racecourse debut.

Form: F/P-

Spanish Leather^t¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: B Jordan| D

13/2

Experienced pointer who has won two races in that sphere; no real show in two hurdles events to date but this longer trip may play to his strengths.

Form: 21PF/96-

Utmost Faith

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Lanigan

66/1

The fact he has only completed two of his six point-to-point starts does not inspire too much confidence; will appreciate this trip but others preferred.

Form:

Aidacon

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Moore| T: A Donoghue

66/1

By Fruits Of Love out of a Bob Back mare. Unlikely to be making any waves on hurdling introduction for low-key Co Kildare yard.

Form:

Backonthehill⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr S Fenelon⁽⁷⁾| T: E Sheehy

150/1

Has achieved little in four maiden hurdles only managing to complete in her first two since the turn of the year; difficult to see where improvement will come from.

Form: 00PU-

Desert Island^t1⁶¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Slevin| T: J Halley

16/1

Well-bred former Flat performer; raced just twice putting in best effort at Thurles over a mile in October 2018; hard to know what to make of his stable debut after a long absence and in a first-time tongue-tie; listen to the market.

Form:

Gallopongray³⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Bowe

10/1

Daughter of Shirocco out of a Traditionally mare. Closely related to decent hurdler Westend Prince. Dam won over 2m4f. Not disgraced in four point-to-point starts 12 months ago.

Form: P/452-

Getaway Pippa²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: I J McCarthy| T: E Sheehy

100/1

12th foal; sister to 2m7f hurdle winner Ahgetawayoutadat and related to plenty of other winners; difficult to judge based on only point-to-point run in November 2019 when unseating her rider.

Form: U-

Lilly Mon May¹³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: N Lee

20/1

Showed very little in a bumper and over hurdles on her two racecourse appearances (in 2018); point-to-point form is not much stronger; hard to make a case for.

Form: F744/52-

Skyace³¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J S McGarvey| T: J J Hanlon| BF

15/2

Ran well in defeat in three career bumper starts when in the care of trainer Willie Mullins. Looks one to be winning a handicap in future.

Form: 233-

Tinas Glory^t1

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Ricky Doyle⁽³⁾| T: A Donoghue

22/1

Daughter of Fame And Glory out of a Prince Of Birds mare. Closely related to Bally Rock, solid over hurdles and the larger obstacles. Tough ask on debut.

Form:

Annual Flavour^p1¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Phillip Enright| T: D H Kelly| OR: 84

33/1

Reserve 1 Has failed to build on a promising bumper effort at Kilbeggan in September, posting five poor efforts since, four of them over hurdles. Needs a chunk of improvement to play a role here.

Form: 407609-

Non-Runners

Kevins Spirit²⁹⁴

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: N Lee J: Simon Torrens

Forecasts

Thunder Down Under (8/13), Spanish Leather (13/2), Skyace (15/2), Gallopongray (10/1), Desert Island (16/1), Lilly Mon May (20/1), Tinas Glory (22/1), Annual Flavour (33/1), Ballylig (33/1), Utmost Faith (66/1), Aidacon (66/1), Kevins Spirit (66/1), Getaway Pippa (100/1), Backonthehill (150/1), Doyler's Mate (150/1), Rehins Boy (150/1)

This looks like a good opportunity for THUNDER DOWN UNDER to break his maiden tag after a streak of consistent performances in maiden and then handicap company. With not much in the way of unexposed competition, this could be his day. Spanish Leather is a competent racehorse and while his hurdle form has not been anything special, this longer trip should suit and perhaps bring out the best in him. Gallopongray is well-bred for this trip and has had some point-to-point experience where she performed adequately.