Quite a competitive handicap. Strong claims are held by the likes of The Miracle Man, Betty Dutton and Lets Do This, but preference is for the locally trained ILBDARE, whose recent Tramore run is working out well and who could have improvement to come over this extended trip. [Alan Hewison]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Good bumper form last season and pick of four attempts hurdling when clear third in 3m Cork maiden; tame Limerick effort last time raises questions, however; now switched to handicap company.
Won over 2m4f here earlier last October (yielding) and career-best in winning 3m Fairyhouse contest last month on decent ground; left with fair bit to do when staying on sixth on softer ground in valuable novice handicap at same venue; probably still on a fair mark and return to better ground, along with drop in class could suit.
Both wins in '23/'24 season came on soft/heavy; back from year's absence when forcing most until dropping out before last at Ballinrobe last month; better for that run and down 4lb.
Hasn't added to Roscommon maiden win but plenty of placings in handicaps, most recently over 3m at Cork in March (good); has her chance again but clearly hard to win with.
Runs off the same mark as when gaining sole hurdles win in 2m4f Punchestown handicap in October 2023; off since unseating in a handicap chase at Wexford last August; ground to suit.
Very consistent '23/24 season, rounding off campaign with 2m3f Limerick handicap hurdle win (soft to heavy) off 99; well below that form this past season and although slipping back down the handicap remains opposable.
Maiden showed improvement when upped in trip on latest in 4-runner 3m1f Warwick handicap last month, chasing home a ready winner after mistake two out (good); this more competitive.
Maiden but only touched off over C&D in 2023 off 93 and in good form last summer when last seen, C&D third and good third in competitive Galway contest; tongue-tie replaces usual hood and could go well.
All four wins have been over fences on decent ground; lightly raced last year, pick of form when second in 3m Roscommon handicap hurdle (good), tailed off when last seen in October; has to remain of interest off this mark with trip/ground to suit.
Local challenger was placed here over 2m4f last summer (good) and looked to be on the way back when third at Tramore last month (winner won again last week); unproven over this far but good chance he'll stay and tongue-tie now tried.
Didn't show much under rules in Britain but got off the mark with a point-to-point win in November; interesting jockey booking on yard debut in first handicap (1lb wrong).
Veteran's seven career wins include one over C&D and more recently in 2m6f Galway handicap last September off lowly 80; soft ground not ideal when pulled up at same venue in October; runs well fresh and ground to suit here so don't discount (2lb wrong).
