Clonmel 2.35 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 3 and 1/2 furlongs - 16 run - Yielding

 

At the top of the market the favourite is Duffy's Hodey, a runner up on seasonal debut and clearly one with a good chance but this is a step up in trip and i think that the better value at the top end of the market may be ARDFERT MARY, also a runner up last time off a nice mark in ideal conditions and with Danny Mullns up, something of an each way banker looking at the depth of th field overall.

 

Love Like This has hit the crossbar a number of times and runs very regularly and should again be competitive, Knockbrack Rambler is definitely one to TRACK and keep an eye on off a 185 days break, Donegal Danny showed the first real signs of ability last time but its questionable how solid that form is and we'll find out more here. Kiln Time is the dark horse who may be the biggest danger, showed real form last Autumn but seems to have lost its way and was pulled up in August.

 

At bigger prices, I think that ELLA ROSE is overpriced and underrated and worth an each way punt here , the 7 year old Mare ran her best race at this time last year at Gowran Park and whilst that hasn't been totally backed a up a repeat of it here would certainly make her very competitive and at the price I'm keen to have a dabble. The only other one to note at a big price would be Ballycommon Chapel at 20/1 plus whose form at 2 miles suggests a step up in trip may eek out something more tangible. (Michael)

 

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Southwell 3.15 Handicap Hurdle - Class 5 - 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 16 run - Good to Soft

 

At the top of the market we have a handful who are more about potential but from some of the bigger yards and they would logically be doing the favourite Well Done Dani, who is in good form right now, most to think about. Lets Sail Away on handicap debut could be anything and the same applies to Skiffle Man for the Skelton yard and Glimpse of Glory for Jonjo who steps up in trip after some initial promise at 2 miles has faded somewhat. The winner is most likely there somewhere but after a couple of big priced winners over the jumps in the past week, I am hopeful of sniffing out something at bigger prices once again.

 

Kingoftheswingerz ran well to be runner up on seasonal debut at Ffos Llas but this is a very different track and surface, Star Legend also looks a danger stepped up in trip for the in form James Owen team and was not lightly discounted. Aquitaine Boy was a 40/1 winner here off a 3 year break, has had another 210 days off but is impossible to fully discount too. At big prices Pop The Question @ 50/1  was actually my 3rd top rated in analysis and if you want a small e/w poke at 40-50/1 I would not put you off if you want to play the extended places on offer. A Hexham Maiden win hasn't been followed up but clearly there is ability to win a small race there.

 

My top 2 rated though at nice e/w odds are PACIFIC for the in form Martin Keighley yard who is race fit, nicely handicapped ticks all the right boxes and just looked primed to me now, PARISH STAR is one for the future but may also be ready now too and was noted staying on at Ffos Llas on seasonal debut too after a wind operation and the price is very appealing on that basis. (Northern)