16:25 Fairyhouse

Saturday 27 January 2018

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:25

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 55.5s

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Selected odds by:

Portrait King⁴⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: P E Corbett| T: P Griffin| OR: 107| D

20/1

Better known for his exploits over fences and ran well to finish fifth in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f, heavy) last time out. Rated much lower over hurdles but usually finds a few too good.

Form: 830-2P5

Nicat's Benefit⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁴⁾| T: Miss E Lalor| OR: 105| D

33/1

Winner twice at Clonmel last year but struggled in the main of late and returns to hurdles having pulled up over fences at Tramore last time.

Form: 00556P

Allez Kal¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C A Landers⁽⁴⁾| T: J Barcoe| OR: 104| D

7/1

Victorious in a handicap hurdle at Limerick (3m, heavy) on his penultimate outing. Fair effort at Punchestown subsequently and this return to 3m looks likely to suit.

Form: 774214

Capture The Drama¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: B Browne⁽⁴⁾| T: Aengus King| OR: 104| C| D

20/1

Seven time winner including in a handicap chase over 3m1f here earlier this month. Disappointed over hurdles subsequently but worth a check in the market today.

Form: 000719

Sir Ector³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁴⁾| T: Nicole McKenna| OR: 103| D

25/1

Finished third to Allez Kal when contesting a handicap hurdle over this trip at Limerick (heavy) last time out. Races off a 1lb lower mark but work to do if he's to reverse that form.

Form: 212873

Poormans Hill⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C D Meehan⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 99| BF| D

11/8

Successful on his first four starts since joining this stable last September. Held off higher marks over fences of late but is one for the shortlist off his much lower hurdles rating.

Form: 111245

Battling Spirit^h⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁴⁾| T: Jonathan Sweeney| OR: 95

7/2

Broke his maiden at the tenth time of asking when victorious over an extended 2m3f at Clonmel (soft-to-heavy). Steps up in trip racing off a 9lb higher mark today.

Form: 0475/51

Emmas Dilemma^p1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: D Robinson⁽²⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 94

11/1

Placed over hurdles and shaped with promise behind Allez Kal when making her handicap debut at Limerick (3m, heavy) last time out. Market support would be interesting in first time cheekpieces.

Form: 844035

Itsallhappening³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: A W Short⁽⁴⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 89

8/1

Maiden after nine starts and failed to complete on his last three outings. Still held chances when unseating four out last time but looks a risky proposition at present.

Form: 343-FPU

Zagnzig^h1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: S J Crimin⁽⁴⁾| T: H Smyth| OR: 86

16/1

13 race maiden and stepping up in trip having finishing seventh in a 2m handicap hurdle at Down Royal (heavy) last time. Wears a hood for the first time today.

Form: 475347

Maureen's Star³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: J B Kane⁽⁴⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 87

33/1

Maiden after 11 starts and failed to figure in two outings since returning to rules following a couple of point-to-point starts in October.

Form: 557480

Forecasts

Poormans Hill (11/8), Battling Spirit (7/2), Allez Kal (7/1), Itsallhappening (8/1), Emmas Dilemma (11/1), Zagnzig (16/1), Portrait King (20/1), Capture The Drama (20/1), Sir Ector (25/1), Maureen's Star (33/1), Nicat's Benefit (33/1)

POORMANS HILL can take advantage of his much lower hurdles mark by taking the concluding handicap hurdle contest. The selection was in good form back in the autumn and won off a mark 7lb higher than he races off today over fences in November. Allez Kal should appreciate this return to 3m while the lightly raced Emmas Dilemma can claim third having put in a decent effort on handicap debut last time.