Racecards
16:35 Wexford (IRE)
Michael O'Murchadha Memorial Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-109)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €10,000 added
- Winner: €6,900
- 2nd: €1,600
- 3rd: €699
- 4th: €400
- Form 0/00-790
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer J C Shearman
- Jockey Kevin Thomas Coleman
led, headed after 3 out, no extra straight
- Form 3-0731F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer E Doyle
- Jockey M P Butler
prominent, no extra approaching 2 out
- Form 33060/
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey S W Jackson
in touch towards rear, improved to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon 2nd, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace from last
- Form 148079
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 89
prominent, improved to lead from 3 out, soon ridden clear, strongly pressed straight, headed and kept on same pace from before last
- Form 040836
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey R C Colgan
soon in touch towards rear, improved to chase leaders approaching straight, 3rd before last, soon 2nd, kept on same pace run-in
- Form 009-050
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer M Kelly
- Jockey P E Corbett
held up in rear, keen hold, improved to chase leaders approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on well run-in. Disqualified following blood test
- Form 976P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey B Browne
tracked leaders, no extra approaching 2 out
Verdict
ARGUIDOS has progressed well since stepping up in trip so it's a surprise to see him back over two miles. A winner on fast ground over 2m3f at Cork in October, he fell at the last when holding every chance under a penalty at Thurles but that was over 2m6f. Despite the fact that this could prove too short and the going too soft his overall form looks too strong for these moderate rivals. Breeze With Ease is probably the main threat but he's another who prefers further and has won just once in 19 starts over timber. Menwaal once looked quite promising but hasn't been seen for two years while point-to-point winner Whatever Jacksays has been beaten a very long way on his two latest starts over hurdles.
Formwatch
Strategic Alliance (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 15th of 17, 48l behind Odonimee (10-0) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Feb.
Arguidos (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, 6th and progress approaching 3 out, 3rd before straight, challenged and disputed lead between last 2, close 2nd and every chance when fell last, in a race won by Chairmanforlife (11-6) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Oct, 18 ran.
Menwaal (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 17th of 20, well behind Time Electric (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-123 gd in Apr '09.
Viaduct Bud (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 14, 43l behind Joe Smooth (11-10) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Breeze With Ease (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd before 2 out, ridden 2 out, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 9l behind Eddie Zero (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 sft.
King's Light (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, last of 18, well behind Whatsabillion (10-12) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Feb.
Cyrus (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Stowaway Pearl (10-0) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Whatever Jacksays (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off, 18th of 20, well behind The Buck (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.