14:10
William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle
2m, Hurdle, 3yo+, €7,200, 11 runners
Winning time 3m 59.10s
- Going
- Good
- Surface
- Turf
Tip for this race
All today's tips ›Sonny May is the pick here, and our rating of 117 puts him eight pounds clear of Pavilion End on 109, a decent margin in a 12-runner field over 16 furlongs on good ground. That gap gives him a real edge on figures, and he looks the one to beat if he brings his best. Pavilion End is the chief danger, with Zuzukel on 106 and Chantilly Wings on 105 also in the mix, though neither matches him on our numbers. A cluster of runners on 104 adds depth to the opposition, but Sonny May's superior rating makes him the selection.
Result
Danny Mullins
Rory Anthony Devine
Up with the pace and keen early - in third at the midpoint - jumped untidily 2 out - challenged for the lead after 2 out - nudged before the last - hit the front at the last and drew clear to score
Alex Harvey
Patrick T Foley
Made all the running - two lengths clear at halfway - strongly pressed from 2 out and under urging before the last - blundered at the last and overtaken - stayed on for 2nd
Michael Kenneally (5)
R Donohoe
In the pack and 7th at halfway - error 2 out - shoved up after jumping it - urged before the last - finished with a flourish on the run-in to take 3rd
Donagh Meyler
Mark Michael McNiff
Raced in the pack - 6th at halfway - shaken up and quickly improved to 3rd after 2 out - under pressure before the last - faded on the run-in and gave up third close home - finished 4th
Mr J J Berry (7)
Denis Hickey
In midfield early - 8th at halfway - nudged after 2 out then urged into 5th before the last - found nothing on the flat
Carl Millar (5)
Cian Collins
In the pack early - 5th at halfway - moved up to 3rd before 3 out - pushed before the last - faded on the run-in and finished 6th well held
Cian Quirke
David Harry Kelly
Held up at the back and keen early - shaken up after 2 out and short of room - small gain before the last - stayed on under urging on the run-in - 7th and well beaten
James Duggan (7)
Oliver McKiernan
Settled in last few early - clumsy at 3rd fence - slipped to back of field by halfway - pushed after 2 out but always well held - finished 8th
Philip Donovan
W J Lanigan
up with the pace early - fourth at the midway point - ridden and faded before 2 out - finished ninth well beaten
Mark Walsh
Charles O'Brien
Raced prominent behind the front runner - error at the 4th - second at halfway - jumped awkwardly 2 out then went backwards under urging - tapped off before the last to finish 10th
Peter Smithers (5)
Padraig Roche
Settled well off the pace from the outset - never got into contention and finished 11th
Non-runners: Zuzukel
Racecard
Mr J J Berry (7)
Denis Hickey 0/0
Without a win in his last four and returning after 152 days, Sonny May has had little to shout about lately, but he has run over today's trip and going before and carries 166 lb off an official mark of 110. Our rating of 117 puts him top of the 12, so he is the one to beat.
- Sire
- Hillstar (GB)
- Dam
- Wouldnt Doubt Ya (IRE) by Oscar
- Owner
- Denis Hickey
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2017
- Stable
- Foulksmills, Co Wexford
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 0 runs (None%)
- Ratings
- Perf 117
Mark Walsh
Charles O'Brien 0/4
Pavilion End has run over today's trip and on this going, and our rating has him second of 12 and a leading danger off 160 lb after a 25-day break. The risk is a winless run of finishes, fifth, seventh and fifth before an unplaced latest effort.
- Sire
- Jack Hobbs (GB)
- Dam
- Munstead Star (GB) by Sir Percy
- Owner
- Michael L Keating
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Straffan, Co Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 4 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 53%
- Ratings
- Perf 109
James Duggan (7)
Oliver McKiernan 0/7
Somersby Roost won four starts back but has been unplaced last time out and pulled up in the two runs before that, and she returns after 53 days off. She has run over today's trip and going and our rating of 104 matches her official mark, yet 160 lb is a hefty burden.
- Sire
- Wings Of Eagles (FR)
- Dam
- Trabrega Bay (IRE) by Oscar
- Owner
- Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Rathcoole, Co Dublin
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 7 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 21%
- Ratings
- Perf 104
Daniel King
A. J. Martin 2/8
Zuzukel arrives with a runner-up effort three starts back and has run over today's trip and going, while our rating of 106 puts him third of 12 and above his official 104. The risk is a 178-day absence, with a ninth last time out and a fall before that.
- Sire
- Frankel (GB)
- Dam
- Lady Zuzu (USA) by Dynaformer
- Owner
- S M Ross
- Foaled
- 16 May 2020
- Stable
- Summerhill, Co. Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 2 wins from 8 runs (25%)
- Trainer running to form
- 40%
- Ratings
- Perf 106
Cian Quirke
David Harry Kelly 3/12
Beyond Forgiveness is winless in his last four, finishing sixth last time out, a fourth two starts back, then a sixth and a pulled up, which makes him hard to fancy. He carries 159 lb, though he has run on today's going and is fresh enough after 23 days.
- Sire
- Libertarian (GB)
- Dam
- Beyond Belief (IRE) by Sadler's Wells
- Owner
- W F Treacy
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2021
- Stable
- Rathvin, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 3 wins from 12 runs (25%)
- Trainer running to form
- 46%
- Ratings
- Perf 97
Carl Millar (5)
Cian Collins 1/17
Chantilly Wings arrives consistent, with a third last time out, a second four starts back and a third three starts back, and he has run over today's trip and going before, fresh enough after 25 days. The main risk is 158 lb, a big burden for a horse yet to win in his last five.
- Sire
- Wings Of Eagles (FR)
- Dam
- Conors Yeats (IRE) by Yeats
- Owner
- John M Lynch
- Foaled
- 9 Apr 2021
- Stable
- Navan, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 17 runs (6%)
- Trainer running to form
- 43%
- Ratings
- Perf 105
Donagh Meyler
Mark Michael McNiff 1/9
Runner-up last time out and a fourth two starts back, Houndsworth has been improving, and he has run over today's trip and going before. A 50-day break and a 156 lb burden, though, leave him yet to win in his last five starts.
- Sire
- Kameko (USA)
- Dam
- Melodic Motion (IRE) by Nathaniel
- Owner
- Ciaran J Grogan
- Foaled
- 4 May 2022
- Stable
- Strandhill, Co. Sligo
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 9 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 31%
- Ratings
- Perf 104
Alex Harvey
Patrick T Foley 1/12
Third last time out and fresh from a run 12 days ago, Silly Mongoose has run over today's trip and going, but he's a seventh and an unplaced effort in the two runs before that, and 156 lb is a hefty burden. Our rating of 104 ranks him sixth of 12.
- Sire
- Decorated Knight (GB)
- Dam
- Remal Dubai (USA) by Hard Spun
- Owner
- He Aint Heavy Syndicate
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2021
- Stable
- Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 12 runs (8%)
- Trainer running to form
- 46%
- Ratings
- Perf 104
Peter Smithers (5)
Padraig Roche 0/4
Cometothinkofit is yet to win in his last four starts, finishing eighth last time out and sixth two starts back, and returns after 129 days off, so he's unexposed and open to improvement, though he carries 147 lb off an official mark of 92.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Vision Du Puy (FR) by Vision D'Etat
- Owner
- All Rogues Have Friends Syndicate
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2022
- Stable
- Coolaghknock Glebe, Co Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 4 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 47%
Danny Mullins
Rory Anthony Devine 1/5
Winless in his last five and unplaced last time, Build A Bridge is hard to fancy after 225 days off, with fifths two and three starts back offering little. He has run over today's trip and going, but 146 lb is a big ask.
- Sire
- Blue Bresil (FR)
- Dam
- Clara Bel La (IRE) by Accordion
- Owner
- So Be It Syndicate
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2021
- Stable
- Bagnalstown, Co. Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 5 runs (20%)
- Trainer running to form
- 45%
- Ratings
- Perf 100
Michael Kenneally (5)
R Donohoe 0/4
Arctic Piper has been well beaten lately, a ninth last time out and another ninth three starts back, with a fell and a pulled up also in her last five, so she is hard to fancy at 140 lb. She is back quickly after 11 days and has run over this trip and going before, but ranking tenth of 12 on our figures says plenty.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Arctic Lady (GER) by Soldier Hollow
- Owner
- R Donohoe
- Foaled
- 14 Mar 2019
- Stable
- Gowran, Co Kilkenny
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 4 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 47%
- Ratings
- Perf 93
Philip Donovan
W J Lanigan 0/2
Lightly raced and yet to win, Kingston Silver has shown little so far, unplaced last time out and a ninth two starts back, but he's fresh from a 20-day break and may have more to offer from an official mark of 82 carrying 140 lb.
- Sire
- Kingston Hill (GB)
- Dam
- In A Rush (IRE) by Hernando
- Owner
- Mrs Sarah Ann Ohanlon
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2021
- Stable
- Coolrain, Co. Laois
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 2 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 30%
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.