13:45 Fairyhouse

Saturday 22 February 2020

All13:4514:1714:5215:2716:0216:3717:12

Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 22.0s

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Selected odds by:

Daring Disciple^t1

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S D Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lee

66/1

Gelded son of Arakan out of an unraced half-sister to Galway Plate winner Sir Frederick makes rather belated racecourse debut here and is probably best watched.

Form:

Zihuatanejo¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: A J Black

11/2

Son of Flemensfirth a brother to useful 2m4f-2m7f hurdle winner Flemcara who was second to very smart Champagne Platinum in first point-to-point before winning second one. Russell booking catches the eye and one to note in the market.

Form: 2/1

I'm So Busy⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington

16/1

Son of Carlotamix a half-brother to bumper and hurdle winner Crooks Peak. Pulled up in both point-to-points but joined top yard so may leave those efforts behind now.

Form: PP

Behind The Curtain³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 115| D

7/1

Former bumper winner placed three times over hurdles and ran to a similar level latest at Thurles when fourth of 10. Rated 115 now and if he runs to that level today he ought to go very close.

Form: 14-3324

Don Magnifica³⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: D E Mullins| T: P A Fahy

20/1

Finished last of eight, beaten over 15L on debut last March but his subsequent sixth of 22 beaten 15L here showed he has ability. 10 month absence rather clouds the picture but form better than the majority so one for the shortlist.

Form: 86-

Barnaviddaun⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins

4/1

Fifth of 10 beaten 14L in only previous hurdle try. Twice fourth in three bumpers since so has a modicum of ability but not done enough to be confident today.

Form: 4P/5474

Big Debates⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner

7/1

Sholokhov gelding beaten 56L on Rules debut in November although winner Easywork is now a Graded level performer. Needs a big step forward and remains best watched.

Form: 22/6

Hesamanofhisword¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: N P Madden| T: D E Fitzgerald| OR: 108

8/1

Improving maiden finished second the last twice at Clonmel and only went down by ½L there last time out. Rated 7lb inferior to Behind The Curtain but doubt there's that much between them; serious player.

Form: 8-34622

Funky Dady³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 116

6/1

Improved effort latest where he outran 25/1 odds to finish third of seven over 2m4f at Gowran. Not sure he wants to be going back in trip but has place claims here.

Form: FF0063

Happie Days^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney

66/1

Fell first time over hurdles at Naas and remote efforts at Limerick and here since temper any enthusiasm.

Form: 078F00

Surfing Tenor²⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell

12/1

Fourth in Ballinrobe maiden bumper on debut last April but only midfield in stronger race at Punchestown subsequently. First hurdle race and returning from 10 months off here but represents a respected trainer.

Form: 4-0

Getaway Lucy⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney

100/1

Daughter of Getaway showed promise in her only point-to-point but couldn't build on that for her debut in this sphere on Boxing Day so best watched at this stage.

Form: 59

Silk Worm⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| D

6/1

Tramore bumper winner left first hurdle run behind where she jumped poorly last time out when second at Limerick albeit beaten 22L behind facile winner. More to come here and one for the shortlist.

Form: 2162

Forecasts

Barnaviddaun (4/1), Zihuatanejo (11/2), Funky Dady (6/1), Silk Worm (6/1), Behind The Curtain (7/1), Big Debates (7/1), Hesamanofhisword (8/1), Surfing Tenor (12/1), I'm So Busy (16/1), Don Magnifica (20/1), Daring Disciple (66/1), Happie Days (66/1), Getaway Lucy (100/1)

Not the strongest maiden hurdle ever held here so it looks a really good chance for seasoned campaigner BEHIND THE CURTAIN to finally make his mark after three previous podium finishes over hurdles. The biggest danger looks Hesamanofhisword who got as close to a win as any of these have at Clonmel latest. Rules debutant Zihuatanejo is a fascinating contender and certainly a potential player based on his form between the flags.