19:10 Sligo

Wednesday 23 August 2023

All17:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Francie 'Banger' Burns Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 5m 12.06s

Moonovercloon²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: J Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 114

9/4

Latest win in hurdle at Downpatrick in June. 16/1, creditable fourth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Galway (22f, good to soft) 21 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 6P5-134

Western Comandor¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 112

16/1

Winner in hurdle at Down Royal in March. Last of 5 in novice hurdle at this course (17.8f, good to soft, 14/1) 13 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 1-4F405

Must Meet Cecil^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Carl Millar⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 109| C

15/2

11/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, improved to win 7-runner minor event hurdle at this course (17.8f, good to soft) 13 days ago. Task now is to build on that effort back up in class.

Form: P-00F01

Arctic Ambition¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 105| BF

11/4

Two wins from 6 runs last season. 2/1, creditable third of 8 in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (19f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Shortlist material operating from this much lower hurdles mark.

Form: 1-21123

Diamondinthemud⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Slevin| OR: 104

11/2

Fifth of 7 in handicap chase at Downpatrick (19.2f, good to soft, 10/3) 67 days ago, losing place when mistakes early final circuit. Switch back to hurdles needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 2856-55

Punters Poet^p,t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Gary Noonan⁽⁵⁾| T: E McCarthy| OR: 97

25/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. Below form eighth of 15 in handicap chase at Killarney (23f, good, 11/1) 33 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles.

Form: 68-0458

Jewelinthesky³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Daniel King⁽⁵⁾| T: E McCarthy| OR: 95

10/1

28/1, below form eighth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (18f, soft) 33 days ago, never better than midfield on the back of 6 months off. Entitled to be sharper here but much more needed on balance.

Form: 06550-8

Game And Glory^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 92

11/2

One win from 22 NH runs. Creditable third of 7 in handicap hurdle (11/2) at Downpatrick (21.8f, good) 10 days ago, staying on to be nearest at the finish. Not taken lightly.

Form: 37-8943

Non-Runners

Cottie²¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: H De Bromhead J: Mike O'Connor

Dancing Jeremy²⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: J Fahey J: Donagh Meyler

Forecasts

Moonovercloon (9/4), Arctic Ambition (11/4), Dancing Jeremy (5/1), Game And Glory (11/2), Diamondinthemud (11/2), Must Meet Cecil (15/2), Cottie (15/2), Jewelinthesky (10/1), Western Comandor (16/1), Punters Poet (25/1)

ARCTIC AMBITION ran another solid race when third behind a well-handicapped pair over fences at Kilbeggan 11 days ago and, operating from his reduced hurdles mark, he could be the way to go with his record for Gordon Elliott team a solid one. Moonovercloon and Dancing Jeremy head up the dangers.