Roscommon On-Course Vets Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 5m 27.3s

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Selected odds by:

Brave Poppy¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: C Byrnes| BF

7/2

Ran best race from three over hurdles in June over C&D, turned over as odds-on favourite on sole start since at Listowel (3m, heavy) 15 days ago. Perhaps better suited coming back in trip and is respected.

Form:

Massey's Wood¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming

10/11

Black Sam Bellamy gelding out of a Midnight Legend mare, made perfect start when winning a 2m Listowel bumper this month with any amount in hand and is should hold strong claims now jumping hurdles.

Form:

Epic Ethel²⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Cawley

25/1

Bumper winner at Worcester in June 2015 on debut for Philip Hobbs, had problems and run just once since. First start for current handler and first attempt at jumping, market can steer expectation levels.

Form:

Burren Life¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott

9/4

Has squandered some decent chances in five bumper runs, often when supported. First time over hurdles and isn't one to dispense with just yet for top yard and connections.

Form:

Manhatton Island⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D Meyler| T: S J Mahon

50/1

Showed minor promise in bumpers last summer but regressing since, well held seven days over 2m5f at Galway on soft ground in a maiden hurdle, others make significantly more appeal now.

Form:

Statistical¹⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead

16/1

Some useful chasers in the family and fences will be where his future lies. Made very little impact on rules debut at Clonmel in June over 2m½f on good to yielding and off since.

Form:

Trump Sixteen^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: S J Mahon

66/1

Not much to inspire in bumper efforts and suffered heavy defeat in 2m5f maiden hurdle at Galway a week ago having gone off at 33/1. Easier to look elsewhere for now.

Form:

Drumbar Millie⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: N Carolan

33/1

Well held in all three bumpers at up to 2m2½f so far, best watched on hurdles bow unless there is some market confidence on offer.

Form:

Forecasts

Massey's Wood (10/11), Burren Life (9/4), Brave Poppy (7/2), Statistical (16/1), Epic Ethel (25/1), Drumbar Millie (33/1), Manhatton Island (50/1), Trump Sixteen (66/1)

MASSEY'S WOOD made a very impressive debut when cutting out the running and readily drawing a long way clear of his rivals at Listowel this month to win a bumper. Having shown testing ground won't be an issue, he has to be greatly respected switching his attention to hurdles and looks set for a big run. The drop in distance should see former C&D runner-up Brave Poppy in a better light while Burren Life could be capable of better in this sphere having run well without registering in bumpers for Gordon Elliott.