Grant Brothers Developments Handicap Hurdle (80-116)

4YO plus | 2m 1f 165y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: L A McKenna⁽⁵⁾| T: P J McKenna| OR: 116| D

Ninth of 11 in handicap at Dundalk (12f, 66/1) on reappearance 16 days ago. Switches from Flat to hurdles. Fairly useful hurdler, respectable on last hurdle outing.

Form: 0-50460

Almuhit^t⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: E Mullins| OR: 114

Tongue strap on for 1st time, creditable seventh of 14 in handicap hurdle (6/1) at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) 63 days ago. Not long with this good yard and enters the reckoning.

Form: 2660-07

Starman^h²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Kennedy| T: A McCann| OR: 113

3 wins from 17 runs this season. Fourth of 6 in novice chase (25/1) at Gowran (20f, heavy) on debut over fences 29 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles.

Form: 601534

Hidden Land^h⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: A Kinirons| OR: 109| C

C&D winner. 28/1, sixth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (23.7f, soft) 62 days ago. Down in trip. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: F7-5066

Luimneach³⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J S McGarvey| T: D McDonogh| OR: 106

Latest win in hurdle at Naas in February 2023. 12/1 and hooded for 1st time, bit below form eighth of 19 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) a year ago. Off since and the betting is perhaps the best guide.

Form: 617158-

Cheerful Chap^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 103

33/1, first run since leaving N. Dooly when good second of 20 in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, heavy) 17 days ago. Contender for last year's winning yard.

Form: 0-70542

Hypersonic Missile²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 100

Winner in bumper at Sedgefield in October. No significant impact in maiden hurdles since but he appeals as one who could go on to better things in handicaps.

Form: 215008

Red Striker³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: K Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Barcoe| OR: 88| D

33/1, creditable third of 25 in handicap hurdle at Naas (16f, soft) 3 days ago. Can make presence felt.

Form: 083953

O'Faolains Glory^p1⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 80

Below form fourth of 16 in handicap hurdle (15/2) at Down Royal (17.2f, heavy) 75 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Uphill task.

Form: 068604

Forecasts

Almuhit (2/1), Starman (4/1), Cheerful Chap (4/1), Luimneach (8/1), Red Striker (8/1), Hypersonic Missile (8/1), Wajaaha (12/1), Hidden Land (20/1), O'Faolains Glory (25/1)

A chance is taken on Gavin Cromwell handicap newcomer HYPERSONIC MISSILE whose bumper form suggests he should be able to do some damage from this rating. Cheerful Chap, who made a positive start for the Philp Rothwell stable when second at Cork recently, is second choice ahead of Red Striker and Almuhit.