15:10 Thurles

Sunday 17 December 2023

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 57.50s

Kinbara^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B W Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell

9/4

Useful hurdler. Tongue strap on for 1st time, respectable 18 lengths fourth of 8 to Minella Missile in Hyde Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham (21f, soft, 11/2) 30 days ago. Expected to be bang there back down in class.

Form: 10-2114

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Mint Boy⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| BF

8/1

Lightly-raced winner under NH rules. 1 win from 2 runs this season. Winner in hurdle at Gowran in September. 6/4, fifth of 8 in novice hurdle at Galway (20.7f, heavy) 49 days ago.

Form: 1239-15

Easy Fella^p¹⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 121| BF

4/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 11/8, creditable second of 9 in handicap hurdle at Bellewstown (24f, good) 162 days ago. First run for yard after leaving R. P. Cody. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 25-3212

Bob Cigar²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 120

2/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. 4/1, career best when winning 17-runner handicap hurdle at Punchestown (24.4f, soft) 21 days ago, running on. May well do better again.

Form: 243-31

Evesham Road³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: C Byrnes| OR: 118

14/1

Thrice-raced winner under NH rules. 1 win from 2 runs this season. Winner in hurdle at Clonmel in May. 9/1, sixth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (16f, heavy) 36 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 7/3P3-16

Ottizzini¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Ewing| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 121| BF

10/1

Fair hurdler. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Respectable third of 8 in novice hurdle (6/5) at Musselburgh (19.8f, soft) 17 days ago.

Form: 353-173

Meritorious⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: Thomas Dowling| OR: 116

80/1

Lightly-raced maiden over hurdles. 28/1, below form thirteenth of 21 in handicap at Navan (14f, heavy) 60 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. First run for yard after leaving John McConnell.

Form: 49/3-5

Camino Rock^t¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M F Morris| OR: 113| BF

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Remains a maiden after 10 hurdle runs. Respectable second of 10 in novice hurdle at Kilbeggan (25f, good to soft, 7/4) 114 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 363-432

The Dabbler^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: K Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: L P Cusack| OR: 108| D

80/1

Inconsistent performer. 25/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (29.6f, soft) 14 days ago, pulled up before 2 out. Switches from chase to hurdles. Back down in trip.

Form: 4-846PP

Zeeband^b1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J G Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan

150/1

Thrice-raced maiden over hurdles. Useful winner at 17f on flat. 50/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, last of 7 in novice hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, heavy) 28 days ago. Blinkered for 1st time.

Form: 98-7

Non-Runners

Getaway Charlie²⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: T Doyle J: Mr D Doyle

Forecasts

Bob Cigar (2/1), Kinbara (9/4), Easy Fella (4/1), Getaway Charlie (11/2), Mint Boy (8/1), Ottizzini (10/1), Camino Rock (11/1), Evesham Road (14/1), The Dabbler (80/1), Meritorious (80/1), Zeeband (150/1)

KINBARA wasn't disgraced when fourth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month and can resume winning ways back down in class. The progressive Bob Cigar is next best ahead of Easy Fella and Getaway Charlie.