Smirnoff At Spy Bar Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 4m 8.31s

Pay The Piper^p⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 133| C| D

3/1

Course winner largely struggled over hurdles and fences last season but has bounced back this season over the larger obstacles, winning twice along with plenty of creditable efforts in defeat. Headgear refitted but it remains to be seen whether he can match that form on his return to hurdles.

Form: 212123

Givemefive^p,t1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 128| D

11/10

Landed Cheltenham conditions race on return in October. Respectable fourth in 2m Fairyhouse Grade 2 in November but has been more miss than hit since, including when underperforming on the Flat last month. Tongue-tie added and he could be the pace in this small-field. Big chance if back on song.

Form: 24-1403

Jericoacoara²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120| D

5/1

Fairly useful hurdler in France for D. Satalia, his best effort when runner-up in a Listed event at Auteuil in 2023/24. Offered something to work with on first start for this yard after 8 months off, fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (good) 3 weeks ago. Entitled to build on that run.

Form: 2554-74

Ballygeary^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118| D

4/1

Resumed winning ways at Market Rasen in June but inconsistent since. Back to form when second at Musselburgh in January but posted a very disappointing effort later that month, when unconvincing over 25.3f at Catterick. Only 1 lb higher than last winning mark and merits consideration down in trip.

Form: 165P28

Forecasts

Givemefive (11/10), Pay The Piper (3/1), Ballygeary (4/1), Jericoacoara (5/1)

An ordinary race for the grade and none of the quartet look rock-solid. Having successfully made the running as a novice, connections of GIVEMEFIVE may opt to employ those tactics again and that could give him a tactical edge in such a small field. If he can return to anything like his early season form, he should take the beating in a first-time tongue tie. Ballygeary is fairly handicapped if he can bounce back from an underwhelming effort last time, with course-winner Pay The Piper next best.