There was strong market support for STRAIGHT HOME on her stable debut at Tramore. This longer trip may see her reverse form with Stormalong who is 7lb higher but a leading contender having run well on the Flat in the interim. Several others merit consideration including Ask Cillian, Katherine, and Workforadime. [Alan Sweetman]
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Six Flat wins, added a maiden hurdle win to her record at Ballinrobe 12 months ago; ran up to her handicap mark when third at Killarney in July and not disgraced when second to an in-form rival in a conditions event at Bellewstown last month.
Won a handicap hurdle at Tramore last month off a 7lb lower mark, relegating the well-backed Straight Home to third; faces a rematch with that rival now; put in a solid effort behind the two market leaders in a Flat maiden at Gowran last time.
Dual-purpose mare, winner of eight races; career highlight when winning a 1m4f Listed event at the Curragh last November; highly tried on the Flat this year; ran twice over hurdles at the Galway festival, good effort when third in a 20-runner contest on the first occasion.
Won consecutive races over 2m4f at Sligo and Downpatrick in July; appeared not to stay 2m6f here last month; ran creditably to finish third in a 16-runner Flat handicap at Tipperary three weeks ago; never in the hunt at Downpatrick on Friday
0-14 over hurdles, placed twice, including creditable third over 3m at Down Royal last November; ran over the same trip on only start this year, at Bellewstown in April, and was staying on from an unpromising position when falling two out; absent since, potentially interesting if market support arrives.
Struggled in big amateur Flat handicap at the Galway festival; showed decent over hurdles during the summer, highlighted by a wide-margin win over 2m4f at Sligo; faded into fourth on the run-in when favourite for 2m4f Killarney event.
Landed modest 2m4f mares' maiden at Wexford in May; remote third on handicap debut at Downpatrick in June; posed no threat at Killarney in July; does not appear to be well handicapped.
Winning yard debut at Punchestown in May; not beaten far in fifth at Cork in July; produced another solid display when second at Wexford last month; seems best at around 2m4f, may find this a bit sharp.
1-9 over hurdles; that win came by 6l in a 2m maiden at Clonmel in May; tailed off on handicap hurdle debut at Cork last month; down the field at Galway recently.
200-1 winner of a 2m Kilbeggan maiden hurdle 15 months ago, a massive improvement on previous form; off for a year before pulled up in a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Sligo in June.
Progressive mare; went up an aggregate 16lb for wins at Kilbeggan and Cork; underlined her improvement with third behind Ask Cillian at Killarney; should be fine with trip and ground.
Made an encouraging handicap debut when second at Ballinrobe in May; unplaced next three starts, two of them at staying trips; came good over 2m4f at Killarney last time. had plenty to spare and may remain competitive off 9lb higher.
Took advantage of a reduced mark when landing a 2m handicap at Kilbeggan last time; 7lb extra does not seem excessive for a 6l win, and she remains 14lb below her career-high mark.
Point and bumper winner for the Townends in the first half of 2023; failed to prosper over hurdles last season; tailed off on handicap debut at Naas in April; strongly supported at Tramore when fitted with a tongue-tie on first start for champion trainer; looked an awkward ride in finishing behind today's rival Stormalong, but has to be taken seriously.
Was running for the 20th time over hurdles when recording her first win in a 2m3f handicap at Kilbeggan in July; not much luck in running at the same venue last month; seems in good heart, but others preferred on overall form.
Heavy ground Flat winner in Britain in 2021; unconvincing form over hurdles; in rear when badly hampered two out on handicap debut at Bellewstown in April; absent since; first reserve.