TimeformBlog

No less than 23 line up for this ultra-competitive and very valuable handicap. Read on for Timeform's view...


The Real Article is a classy hurdler who won 3 times last term, including Grade 2s at Tipperary and Down Royal. Laboured effort in Grimes Hurdle last time and beaten favourite in this last year from 23 lb lower mark.

Moon Dice's form took off switched to handicaps last term, landing this race off a 16 lb lower mark. Ran well in Greatwood Hurdle in November, but below form when last seen and softer conditions a worry.

Captain Cee Bee is a high-class chaser who proved he's still a force over hurdles when landing Grade 3 event and was a creditable second to Rebel Fitz in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary on latest.

Rebel Fitz A smart hurdler who landed Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary last time, beating Captain Cee Bee and The Real Article. Conditions will suit and may still have more to offer.

Sailors Warn A mart hurdler who was back to winning ways when landing minor event at Limerick (2¼m) in October. Solid efforts in handicaps the last twice and recent spin on Flat should have put him right for this.

Whatever Jacksays has been much improved of late, making all to record wide-margin victories at Wexford, Punchestown and Cork in April/May. Steep rise in weights since, but won on Flat debut last month and can't be ruled out.

Whatuthink one-time smart hurdler/chaser who broke long losing run when beating Alpine Eagle at Down Royal last time, dictating. Successful on the Flat since, but others look more solid options.

Benash useful hurdler who ran well over fences in May and has posted two creditable efforts on the Flat of late. Should give another good account, but appears to have little in hand of current mark.

Fosters Cross strong traveller who is better over hurdles than fences. Second to Moon Dice in this race last year and put recent fall behind him when running well on Flat on Monday. Others make more appeal, though.

Oilily better than ever when winning minor event at Cork in March and good fourth at Killarney on reappearance. Won on Flat since, but never threatened here on Monday and this looks too competitive.

Karabak isn't the force of old, below form all 6 starts for Edward Harty, and makes little appeal in a race as competitive as this.

Tornedo Shay a useful hurdler who ran right up to best when landing minor event at Punchestown in May 2011 when last seen in this sphere. Well held in Flat race here on Monday, though, and needs to improve.

Drive Time won all 3 completed starts over hurdles and made winning debut for this yard when landing 18-runner handicap at Punchestown in April. Followed up on Flat earlier this month and major claims.

Plan A Boasts a decent strike rate over hurdles and better than the result when fourth in County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March (Sailor's Warn third). Ran well on Flat when last seen in April and not easily dismissed.

Rattan took well to hurdles, winning at Ballinrobe and Sligo last season. Ran well when second to Satu in handicap at Killarney on return, but this is much tougher and looks stable third-string.

Run With The Wind a useful novice hurdler who belatedly got off the mark at sixth attempt in minor event at Ballinrobe in May before following up in novice at Killarney last time. Makes handicap debut and respected.

Lexi's Boy has won 4 times over hurdles, further improvement when beating Sadler's Risk in handicap at Sandown in April. Fit from Flat and will handle conditions, but faces plenty of competition up front.

Princeton Plains developed into a useful hurdler last year, winning at Killarney, Galway and Listowel, and also finishing a good fifth in this race. Landed gamble on Flat in June and one for the shortlist.

Blazing Tempo is last term's Galway Plate heroine who went on to score twice in graded company. Had excuses when below form last time, though interesting from lower hurdles mark, this trip may prove too short.

Unknown Rebel won 4 handicaps on the Flat in 2011 and showed fairly useful form over hurdles last term, landing juvenile at Market Rasen in November. Comes here fit from Flat, but this looks too stiff a task.

Cause of Causes is a fairly useful hurdler who won maiden at Kilbeggan in May and improved when landing minor event at Downpatrick in July. Interesting from this mark and claims if getting a run.

Discoteca is useful on the Flat and jumping has improved over hurdles recently, making it 4 in a row when outpointing Dibella upped to 2½m at Bellewstown. Ran poorly here on Monday, though.

The Way We Were landed a 2m Leopardstown maiden hurdle in December and improved when runner-up in handicaps both starts since, beaten by Vast Consumption at Fairyhouse on latest. Can't be dismissed.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Drive Time
2. Princeton Plains
3. Whatever Jacksays

Timeform View: The unexposed Drive Time landed a well-contested handicap at Punchestown in April and comes here having confirmed his well-being with a comfortable success on the Flat earlier this month. Princeton Plains, Sailor's Warn and Blazing Tempo are all capable of being involved and look the most likely dangers to the selection.


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