18:15 Limerick

Thursday 23 July 2020

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Adare Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 5m 10.09s

Le Vagabond^b,t1¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 115

10/1

Feeling the pinch at the business end of the race when brought down at the third last hurdle. Form when runner-up at Punchestown (2m4f; yielding) in October would give him definite claims. Recent evidence would suggest he isn't in same form though.

Form: 06752-B

You Can't Catch Me^t¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: K Purcell| OR: 115| C| D

50/1

Still 5lb above the mark he scored off around this time last year at Killarney (2m4f; good) when a bloodless winner. Well-beaten on seasonal debut at Bellewstown (2m4f; good to yielding) earlier in the month. Subsequently opposed with confidence.

Form: 41635-0

Ballyegan Hero²⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 113

25/1

Lesser effort on final start of 2019 when midfield at Cork (2m1f; yielding) in October. Found just one too good in two starts prior to that. However, you would have to go back to August 2017 to find his last piece of encouraging hurdles form.

Form: 696226-

Demi Plie²⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 113| D

15/2

Consistent mare who is 21lb lower over the smaller obstacles than over fences after improving rapidly since being sent chasing. Has won off a similar sort of break in the past, so holds strong claims on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 221313-

Internal Transfer²⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 110| BF| CD

10/3

This is a fair bit easier than when running in the Munster National at this venue in October when he was pulled-up over fences. Tends to run well at this track (three-time course winner) and he is 26lb lower over hurdles. Fitness to prove.

Form: 2011/4P-

Lord Lariat^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 110| D

15/8

Form of previous two wins (both at Tipperary over 2m4f/3m) has been boosted since. 12lb rise demands further progress but he is unexposed in handicaps and over this trip so should make a bold bid for the hat-trick.

Form: P577-11

Brog Ahaon¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M McCabe| OR: 109| BF

14/1

Won when last seen over hurdles at Kilbeggan (2m; yielding) in August. Been sent over fences since, and ran respectably in defeat when third at Thurles (2m; good to yielding) in February. Player on return from 168-day break on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 316743-

The Tartan Spartan^b¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Dempsey| T: P Fenton| OR: 109

12/1

Didn't run as well as the finishing position would suggest when beaten 45+ length into fourth at Kilbeggan (2m4f; good to yielding) on seasonal return. Major claims on strength of his third at Punchestown, but nowhere near that level twice since.

Form: 735/4

Broder²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 107| D

14/1

Three-time hurdle winner would have place claims if back to the form of his fourth-placed effort at Thurles (2m4f; soft) in November. Posted low-key effort on return to action at Tipperary (2m; good to yielding). Back up in trip.

Form: 01084-0

Finding Joy³¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: T Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 106| D

25/1

8lb rise seemingly found her out when hat-trick bid was halted at Listowel (2m4f; good) in September. Didn't run badly in fifth but will need to resume progress on return from 10-month break. Question mark regarding fitness.

Form: 406115-

Lessofdnegativity²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: A J McNamara| OR: 102| D

12/1

Point to prove on seasonal reappearance after being pulled-up over 3m at this course when last seen in December. Sole career win came on better ground so he may be able to bounce back to some degree with that in mind.

Form: 10508P-

Sean Says^b1²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Sweeney| OR: 108

40/1

Handicapper still looks to have her in his grip 6lb above last winning mark for making winning handicap debut back in January. Remains lightly raced though and the step up to 2m4f may help. Not completely written off.

Form: 09619-0

Glendaars Warrior^t⁴⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: K J Brouder| T: Ian O'Connor| OR: 98

33/1

Goes well fresh so 408-day absence is of no concern. Chasing hat-trick after doubling up last summer. 7lb higher mark on seasonal debut but step up in trip may be the key to unlocking further improvement.

Form: U288/11-

Little Haarth²⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: D McDonogh| OR: 98| CD

40/1

Dual hurdle winner makes seasonal return after 282-day break. Back to form when runner-up at Punchestown (2m6f; good to yielding) over fences. 9lb lower over the smaller obstacles but hasn't won for four years so looks vulnerable.

Form: 490662-

Non-Runners

Supreme Vinnie²⁰⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 11

T: Miss D O'Shea J: Rachael Blackmore

Pepper'n Salt¹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: G P Cromwell J: J M Moore

Midnight Wilde⁸

Weight: 10-8| Age: 5

T: G P Cromwell J: Reserve 1

Clancypantz¹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: M Hourigan J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Lord Lariat (15/8), Internal Transfer (10/3), Demi Plie (15/2), Pepper'n Salt (8/1), Le Vagabond (10/1), Lessofdnegativity (12/1), The Tartan Spartan (12/1), Broder (14/1), Brog Ahaon (14/1), Midnight Wilde (20/1), Ballyegan Hero (25/1), Clancypantz (25/1), Finding Joy (25/1), Glendaars Warrior (33/1), Supreme Vinnie (33/1), Sean Says (40/1), Little Haarth (40/1), You Can't Catch Me (50/1)

Given his record at this track (3-4), Internal Transfer has to feature on the shortlist despite the fact he hasn't been seen since finding the Munster National all too much at this track back in October. He has improved in the main since being sent chasing but connections may feel he is capable of exploiting his 26lb lower mark over hurdles on this seasonal reappearance. However, this looks to concern Glendaars Warrior & LORD LARIAT. The pair are both chasing hat-tricks with the former a real player despite the long absence. Preference is for the latter whose recent winning form has since been well advertised. His unexposed profile can help him cope with the 12lb rise.