Locke Burger Novice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 4m 3.50s

The Dancing Tree⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 112| BF| CD

11/8

Fairly useful bumper winner who was much improved from exploits in maidens when excellent second of 6 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (heavy) 72 days ago, edged out on line. In good hands and surprise were he not capable of better again.

Form: 1-65052

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Mercury Mission^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 106| D

11/8

12/1, career best when winning 14-runner handicap hurdle at Wexford (16f, good to soft) 24 days ago, just holding on having settled better than can often be the case.

Form: F35361

Its Not Over Yet¹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| OR: 105

20/1

2 wins from 5 runs this season. Thirteenth of 16 in handicap hurdle (8/1) at Punchestown (22.8f, good) 177 days ago, unable to recover after a bad mistake 3 out. Present mark demands more in any case.

Form: B-60110

Kingdom Calling^h,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Gary Noonan⁽⁵⁾| T: E McCarthy| OR: 101| D

18/1

Winner in hurdle at Listowel in September. Ninth of 13 in handicap hurdle at this course (16.2f, soft, 33/1) 18 days ago, never a threat. Has a good deal to prove at present.

Form: 918009

Redcliff Glen¹⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 101| CD

17/2

Off the mark from 7 lb lower mark over C&D in October. However, well below best at Cork next time and fell early when last seen at Punchestown (15.5f) 5 months ago. Market can likely prove a useful guide on return.

Form: 0-0010F

Andyourbirdcansing²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: J P Ryan| OR: 99

12/1

One win from 22 NH runs. Yet to be asked for effort when falling 4 out in handicap chase at Thurles (20.8f, good, 14/1) 26 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles but others make more appeal on balance.

Form: 4376FF

Non-Runners

Nowwhatdoyouthink³⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: R Hackett J: Liam Quinlan

Forecasts

Mercury Mission (11/8), The Dancing Tree (11/8), Nowwhatdoyouthink (10/3), Redcliff Glen (17/2), Andyourbirdcansing (12/1), Kingdom Calling (18/1), Its Not Over Yet (20/1)

THE DANCING TREE was much improved when just touched off on his handicap debut over C&D in January. In excellent hands, he appeals as the type to progress further and earns the vote ahead of last-time-out winners Nowwhatdoyouthink and Mercury Mission.