15:35 Tipperary

Friday 26 June 2020

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

Junction Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (Div 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 15.80s

Balinaboola Steel⁵⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B J Cooper| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 95

6/1

Was having a little of an 'in and out' season where a promising run is followed by a couple of dour efforts when last campaigned in 2018; difficult to know what to make after such a long break.

Form: 206299/

Rippon Lodge²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: D J Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 95

14/1

Hints of ability in a number of career starts over hurdles since debut in November 2018; needs to take a big step forward to get competitive even at this level.

Form: 3F6349-

Elegant Dan²⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D M O'Brien| OR: 93

12/1

Yet to hit the frame in eight career starts so far over hurdles; not much improvement when sent chasing last time at Tramore; on the plus side, he is slipping down the handicap.

Form: 505484-

Lord Lariat^t¹¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 93

7/1

Mixing hurdling with a number of spins over the larger obstacles, without much success since December last year. Outs of sorts before the break and even this looks a tough ask.

Form: 00P577-

Maria Francesca^h1²¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 93

11/2

Four-race maiden hurdler. Not disgraced in a couple of starts when last seen in November. Has to be considered on stable debut for leading yard and in first-time hood.

Form: 3/85054-

Villa Moura¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S A Mulcahy⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 93

40/1

Only seems to run intermittently these days; pulled up at Down Royal in March on first start since October; could be similar story here.

Form: 5/53F0P-

Derby De Thaix³⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 92

12/1

Posted a career best effort when third of 11 beaten 5½L at Ballinrobe over 2m1f on yielding ground in August but tailed off later that month at same track; really difficult to know what horse will turn up after such a long absence.

Form: 06P630-

Celine Soprano^t¹²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr M C O'Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: Patrick Cronin| OR: 91| D

4/1

Improved for front running tactics last time at Clonmel but still beaten a fair way in the end; showed she is going in the right direction and one to consider.

Form: 024050-

Jaunty Velocity^t¹⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 90

14/1

Daughter of Sulamani, yet to hit the frame in seven starts over hurdles. Not beaten far in a couple of encouraging returns in November at Punchestown and not to be taken lightly in this contest.

Form: 5/P6676-

Ruler Of Dubai²⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: L Young| OR: 87

25/1

Has started at long odds on all his four racecourse appearance to date and run accordingly; hard to know where improvement will come from; handicap debut.

Form: 0680-

I'm On Snap^b1⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G P Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: N McCluskey| OR: 83

50/1

Half-sister to smart jumper Ttebbob, from a good family. No striking promise, though, in her two maiden points or three maiden hurdles.

Form: F57/P0-

Just Call Me^b¹¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: A J McNamara| OR: 83| CD

18/1

Now into the veteran stages of his career and 14lb lower than last winning mark; different first-time equipment tried on last two runs to little effect; blinkers retained here.

Form: 6FP89P-

Daisy's Hollow²¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: T N Brett⁽⁷⁾| T: S M Duffy| OR: 82

8/1

Showed notable improvement on her last two runs before Christmas; interesting in this contest now she has been eased slightly in the handicap; fair chance if progressing again.

Form: 00/0005-

Malicious Intent^t¹⁰⁴¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: T Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: V Clifford| OR: 80| C

125/1

Did not run too badly when he last saw a racecourse but that was nearly three years ago and it would be a major surprise if the veteran was up to winning this.

Form: 9607/

Shantelle⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: R Donohoe| OR: 83| D

20/1

Reserve 1 Veteran mare who isn't exactly well handicapped, having gained both wins off 3lb lower.

Form: 250500-

Non-Runners

Charlotte Wells⁹⁴

Weight: 10-13| Age: 8

T: P J Rothwell J: A W Short

My Lovely Boy¹²⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: T P O'Connor J: Reserve 2

Myladyrose²⁰⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: Mrs A Mooney J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Celine Soprano (4/1), My Lovely Boy (4/1), Maria Francesca (11/2), Balinaboola Steel (6/1), Lord Lariat (7/1), Daisy's Hollow (8/1), Elegant Dan (12/1), Derby De Thaix (12/1), Myladyrose (12/1), Jaunty Velocity (14/1), Rippon Lodge (14/1), Charlotte Wells (14/1), Just Call Me (18/1), Shantelle (20/1), Ruler Of Dubai (25/1), Villa Moura (40/1), I'm On Snap (50/1), Malicious Intent (125/1)

Not the most interesting of contests and it may pay to stick with the Gordon Elliott trained MARIA FRANCESCA. The mare is yet to win over hurdles but has showed a little bit of promise and may have benefited from being switched to current trainer who puts a hood on her for the first time. Daisy's Hollow has been showing improved form on her most recent starts and looks attractively handicapped. Charlotte Wells is another who has shown improved form and may be capable of running into a place.