15:01 Galway

Sunday 29 October 2023

All12:4113:1613:5114:2615:0115:3616:1016:40

Ann Walsh Memorial Novice Hurdle

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 5m 25.5s

Free Flowing²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: T P Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lee| C

9/2

After 5 months off, won 11-runner maiden hurdle (17/2) at this course (16.7f, heavy) 26 days ago, holding on gamely. Can give another good account back up in trip.

Form: 5/2337-1

Mint Boy²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell

6/4

Placed both starts in bumpers. After 6 months off, left hurdling debut form behind when winning 17-runner maiden (15/8) at Gowran (20.2f, heavy) 29 days ago. Open to further progress.

Form: 1239-1

Moon D'orange¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B W Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 125

18/1

Thrice-raced winner over hurdles, successful at Cartmel in May. Shaped as if better for run when fifth of 7 in novice hurdle (10/1) at Cork (24.2f, good to soft) 2 weeks ago. Remains open to improvement.

Form: 34-15

Sequestered³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J G Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| D

7/2

Fairly useful hurdler. Winner at Sligo in August. Improved again when second of 6 in novice (33/1) at Listowel (20f, soft) 36 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 355412

Stuzzikini^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

10/3

Fairly useful hurdler. Opened account at Kilbeggan in April. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, good second of 19 in handicap at Punchestown (23f, good, 20/1) 19 days ago. Can resume winning ways.

Form: P1-2232

Walhaan^t1,v1⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: E Walsh⁽³⁾| T: Ciaran Murphy| OR: 119

20/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Respectable fourth of 11 in handicap on the level at Leopardstown (1m, heavy, 18/1) a week ago. Will need to find more as he goes back over hurdles with visor/tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 4190-44

Zolpharine¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 111

40/1

Made a winning hurdling debut at Kilbeggan in September. However, well held both starts since, racing freely when last of 7 in novice at Cork (24.2f, good to soft, 28/1) 2 weeks ago.

Form: 442147

Lavinia Fontana^t¹⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J S McGarvey| T: Ciaran Murphy

150/1

Modest form when fourth at Limerick on chase debut but form has gone the wrong way since, pulled up in cross-country race at Punchestown (25f, good to soft, 66/1) in April. Best watched back over hurdles.

Form: 47338P-

Forecasts

Mint Boy (6/4), Stuzzikini (10/3), Sequestered (7/2), Free Flowing (9/2), Moon D'orange (18/1), Walhaan (20/1), Zolpharine (40/1), Lavinia Fontana (150/1)

Making a belated handicap debut, STUZZIKINI ran his best race in first-time cheekpieces when runner-up at Punchestown 19 days ago and he can get back to winning ways returned to novice company. Sequestered also showed improved form on his latest outing and could be the main danger, with Mint Boy completing the shortlist.