14:30 Killarney

Friday 18 July 2025

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Lee Strand Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 40.8s

Open To Question^b¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 125

8/1

Dual 2m hurdle winner failed to build on promise of previous run when ninth of 19 in handicap hurdle at Navan (20f, soft, 14/1). Market may guide expectations on return from 6 months off.

Form: 5/17879-

Zoffanien^p⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: John Shinnick⁽³⁾| T: T O'Brien| OR: 123| C

10/3

On a long losing run but creditable placed efforts in big-field handicap hurdles earlier this year and not disgraced back on the Flat (despite not posing any real win threat) when sixth of 21 in handicap at Navan (14f, good) 41 days ago. Respected back over hurdles with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 53F/032-

Winning Smut^t⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| D

7/4

Fairly useful hurdler didn't need to improve on first run since leaving M. Hourigan when winning 15-runner novice hurdle at Ballinrobe (22.6f, good) 53 days ago. In excellent hands and remains of interest back in a handicap.

Form: 25/245-1

My Gaffer¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 119| C

15/2

Latest win came at this course (20.3f) in May and not disgraced in better races prior to doing too much too soon when thirteenth of 16 in handicap hurdle (9/1) at Bellewstown (17.2f, good) 13 days ago. Better judged on his previous form and isn't without a chance if seeing out the longer trip.

Form: 45-1320

Bitofajokelike^t⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Jake Coen⁽³⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 114

6/1

Runner-up at Cork in April and backed that up when off the mark in a 15-runner novice hurdle at Tipperary (25f, good to soft) 65 days ago, always holding on. No surprise to see him step forward on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 09P92-1

Coole Cherry²⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 113

15/2

Winner in hurdle at Kilbeggan in September and improved again when runner-up at Listowel (24f) but failed to see out race when ninth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Galway (21.9f, good to soft, 6/1) in October. Reunited with Paul Townend and may well get back on track following a break.

Form: 3/53129-

Zefiro Dodville^p1¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: H E Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: A Sexton| OR: 113| D

80/1

Maiden hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott but little impact in two starts over fences for that yard prior to finishing well held on stable debut at Bellewstown (24.5f, good) 13 days ago, jumped sketchily. Looks to have plenty to find with cheekpieces on for first time.

Form: 151/9-89

Greatness Awaits^p,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jordan Gainford| T: C Collins| OR: 110

12/1

In fine form for Alastair Ralph earlier this year and built on promise shown on debut for current connections when better than ever to win a 9-runner handicap hurdle at Cartmel (22.1f, soft) 19 days ago. In good hands and may well improve again with headgear refitted.

Form: 1522-41

Non-Runners

Fiveonefive¹⁹

Weight: 12-1| Age: 7

T: C Collins J: Mr J H Williamson

Derryville³

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: S Curling J: Phillip Enright

Caesar Rock¹⁷

Weight: 10-3| Age: 9

T: M F Morris J: C G O'Dwyer

Forecasts

Winning Smut (7/4), Zoffanien (10/3), Fiveonefive (5/1), Bitofajokelike (6/1), Coole Cherry (15/2), My Gaffer (15/2), Open To Question (8/1), Caesar Rock (8/1), Derryville (10/1), Greatness Awaits (12/1), Zefiro Dodville (80/1)

GREATNESS AWAITS has improved for the switch to Cian Collins, posting a career best when scoring at Cartmel last month. He can continue his upward trajectory (with headgear refitted) and is preferred to Coole Cherry who may be able get back on track following a break, while My Gaffer was successful on his only previous hurdles start here and has claims if seeing out this longer trip.