19:45 Limerick

Thursday 23 July 2020

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

Newcastle West Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (Div 2)

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 6m 30.06s

Tick Along¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T G McCourt| OR: 95

12/1

Showed 150-1 third over 2m6f at this track was no fluke when backing that run up to finish fourth at Bellewstown (2m4f; good) in a Mares Maiden Hurdle. Now makes handicap debut and definite place claims.

Form: 9040-34

Power Drive^t1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Dempsey| T: P W Flynn| OR: 93

40/1

Only had four starts over hurdles but yet to show any ability in any of those runs, including on first run in handicap company at Bellewstown (2m; good) recently. Takes a notable step up in trip from 2m to 3m.

Form: 090-0

Scotsman's Bay^t¹⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 93

11/2

Showed improved form for the switch to handicaps when fifth at Leopardstown (3m; soft) in March. Likely to encounter better ground and interesting if support for arrives for him on first run back from short break.

Form: 0/06805-

James Boru⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 91| D

9/2

Took advantage of falling handicap mark to win in impressive fashion when gaining breakthrough career win at Downpatrick (2m6f; good). Return to 3m offers hope of more to come and he is high on the shortlist.

Form: 670P5-1

Saint Or Sinner¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 91

25/1

Regressive since bumper win on debut this time last year. Made-low-key return to action recently when beating one rival home to finish 12th of 13 at Bellewstown (2m; good). Best watched on handicap debut until offering more encouragement.

Form: 3P660-0

Tropical Stream³¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: R J McGrath| OR: 91

25/1

Unable to build on promise she showed when third at Tramore (2m5f; good) in May. going backwards in two starts since. Only had four starts under rules, so there is still time yet but she needs to show considerable improvement on handicap debut.

Form: P/2380-

Cousin Pascal¹²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr J G Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Murphy| OR: 90| D

7/1

Looked to have improved for the first-time blinkers when not beaten far into fourth at Thurles (yielding to soft) in March. However, he goes without them now and may need this first run for 124 days.

Form: 557944-

Spanish Leather^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: B Jordan| OR: 90| D

16/1

Well backed at big prices but failed to justify that market support when finishing in midfield at Tipperary (3m; good to yielding). One to monitor in market again on handicap bow, but does need to raise his game.

Form: 1PF/96-8

The Trigger⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: R McNally| OR: 85| D

85/40

Took advantage of lower hurdles mark at Kilbeggan (3m1f; yielding) last week to follow up chase victory at the start of the month. Now bids for the hat-trick and has to be considered and the one to beat with yard/jockey in good form.

Form: 8323-11

Cornhill Lass³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 86

16/1

Not kicked on from promising third behind the high-class Asterion Forlonge in a Thurles (2m; soft) bumper in November. Well beaten on return to action over 2m6f at this track last month. Market likely the best guide to her chances on handicap debut.

Form: 39008-0

Mustmeetkate²⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 85

40/1

May appreciate the better ground but she can only be watched on what is her handicap/seasonal debut given how poorly she was running over Christmas. Tailed off over 2m3f at this track when last seen.

Form: 8/67800-

Betterask Jj^t²³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 80

16/1

Better form shown on softer ground which he is unlikely to get at this time of year. Makes seasonal reappearance and previous evidence suggests he is likely to need this run fitness-wise. Winless in 10 starts over hurdles. Tough task.

Form: P66507-

Sea Reef¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: S Ryan| OR: 83

50/1

First reserve. Handicap debut. Would need to improve markedly on previous four showings which have been woeful. Sent off 250-1 and finished last of those who finished when 13th at Roscommon (2m; good).

Form: 00-00

Mick Mixy³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T D Geoghegan⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 95

28/1

Second reserve. Stamina to prove turned out quickly if getting in after disappointing display on handicap debut at Gowran Park (2m4f; good). Watching brief is the only option with this one.

Form: 000-078

Non-Runners

Miss Mcilroy³¹⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: C Byrnes J: K J Brouder

Monsieur Bagot³⁰⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: G P Cromwell J: J M Moore

Let Her Flow¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: P J Gilligan J: J G Gilligan

Bonnie's Dream²²

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: E Sheehy J: O R Brown

Forecasts

The Trigger (85/40), James Boru (9/2), Miss Mcilroy (5/1), Scotsman's Bay (11/2), Cousin Pascal (7/1), Monsieur Bagot (10/1), Tick Along (12/1), Spanish Leather (16/1), Cornhill Lass (16/1), Betterask Jj (16/1), Tropical Stream (25/1), Saint Or Sinner (25/1), Let Her Flow (25/1), Mick Mixy (28/1), Power Drive (40/1), Mustmeetkate (40/1), Sea Reef (50/1), Bonnie's Dream (50/1)

Given the outstanding form he is currently in, this can go to hat-trick seeking THE TRIGGER who is turned out quickly from his first hurdles victory in just over two years when successful at Kilbeggan. His chase win at the start of the month shows he is in rude health which cannot be said for much of his opposition. The top weight Tick Along is open to improvement on handicap debut, as is Miss Mcilroy who has her first start for new trainer Charles Byrnes on her seasonal debut. After he got off the mark at the 13th attempt over hurdles, James Boru must also be given a mention as he bids to follow up off a 6lb higher mark.