13:45 Clonmel

Thursday 15 February 2024

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

Derrygrath Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 45.20s

Beechfield³¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: D Commins

18/1

Won sole start in points (Apr 2023). The betting should help guide to expectations now hurdling.

Form: 1-

Imperial Chief⁴²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mike O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: P C O'Connor

100/1

Arcadio gelding. Half-brother to a point winner. Dam, point winner, half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander. Third in sole point in December 2022. Off 14 months ahead of this switch to hurdles.

Form: 3-

Interieur Cuir²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead

10/1

Twice-raced maiden. 22/1, fifth of 15 in maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 22 days ago. In good hands but probably more one for handicaps after this.

Form: 05

John Coffey

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Connor

50/1

Watar gelding. Dam runner-up in point. A watching brief is advised on debut.

Form:

King Of Cong¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Philip Byrnes⁽⁵⁾| T: T O'Brien

18/1

Twice-raced maiden. Ninth of 14 in novice hurdle at Limerick (16f, heavy, 66/1) 16 days ago.

Form: 369

Spavango¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Gary Noonan⁽⁵⁾| T: E McCarthy

125/1

Twice-raced maiden. 250/1, seventh of 14 in novice hurdle at Limerick (16f, heavy) 16 days ago.

Form: 07

Stickman^p1¹⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: John Shinnick⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Brien

6/1

Maiden pointer. Showed ability in a maiden hurdle and bumper in the autumn but probably won't be of real interest until handicapping.

Form: P37-53

Undeniable Alibi¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

8/13

Promising type. Third of 11 in maiden at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy, 16/5) on hurdles bow 19 days ago. Likely to improve and leading claims.

Form: 1-53

Whatsyourproblem

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: J Queally

7/2

Well Chosen gelding. Brother to 2¼m bumper winner Chosen Witness. Dam (b87) bumper winner. One to note in the betting on debut.

Form:

Tenacious Tess²⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: C G O'Dwyer⁽⁵⁾| T: J Fogarty

125/1

Once-raced maiden. Tenth of 16 in juvenile hurdle at Killarney (17f, good to soft, 200/1) on NH debut. Off 9 months.

Form: 0

Non-Runners

Maroto²²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Paul Townend

Milo Lises¹⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: W P Mullins J: Danny Mullins

Heidi's Frontiere⁴⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: M Kennedy J: Phillip Enright

Forecasts

Undeniable Alibi (8/13), Maroto (5/4), Whatsyourproblem (7/2), Milo Lises (5/1), Stickman (6/1), Interieur Cuir (10/1), King Of Cong (18/1), Beechfield (18/1), Heidi's Frontiere (33/1), John Coffey (50/1), Imperial Chief (100/1), Tenacious Tess (125/1), Spavango (125/1)

UNDENIABLE ALIBI is taken to build on his Fairyhouse third last month and strike at the second time of asking over hurdles. The main threat will likely come from Willie Mullins pair Maroto and Milo Lises unless the betting vibes are strong surrounding John Queally newcomer Whatsyourproblem.