Key Trends & Trainer Insights
- Martin Brassil has a profitable record when sending just one runner to a hurdles card (+£13.63 level stakes), and he runs Chocolate Truffles.
- Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Diamond Steel, won this race in 2022 with Coole Arcade.
- Winners often return from layoffs of 2–4 weeks; longer absentees may need watching for late support.
Top Contenders
NUSRA (122 Timeform Adj) – 9/4F – 8yo, G. Ahern
- Back-to-back placed efforts in similar ground, stays well, and looks well-handicapped. Has shaped like a winner-in-waiting.
- Mark: 8.5/10
BOWGATE STREET (111 Timeform Adj) – 8/1 – 6yo, M. Flannery
- Progressive profile last season; excuses at Gowran (wide trip), resumes on a good mark.
- However, pace bias may count against if ridden too prominently.
- Mark: 7.5/10
ONEBRIGHTBLUEROSE (109 Timeform Adj) – 5/1 – 6yo, Patrick Cronin
- Won at Wexford earlier in the year, form solid. Recent chase run decent.
- Likes a sounder surface; drawn for a stalking trip.
- Mark: 7/10
GETAWAY HENRY (108 Timeform Adj) – 10/1 – 8yo, D. J. O’Leary
- Course-and-distance scorer. Stays well, could go forward or sit just off.
- Fitness uncertain after 259-day layoff; watch market.
- Mark: 7/10
TEA IT IS (109 Timeform Adj) – 10/1 – 8yo, Denis Hogan
- Exposed but capable off this mark; fair form in summer 2023 and looks potentially well treated.
- Absence of over 600 days is the concern.
- Mark: 6.5/10
Interesting Outsiders
AMEILYA (102p Timeform Adj) – 20/1 – 4yo, James Barrett
- First time in handicap after quiet juvenile runs. Well-bred and may improve.
- Mark: 6/10
PEBBLE TO A PEARL (93 Timeform Adj) – 14/1 – 5yo, Paul Power
- Hooded now, shaped encouragingly when third at Tramore. Open to improvement.
- Mark: 6.5/10
SWELLTIME (RES) (109 Timeform Adj) – 499/1 – 9yo, W. O’Doherty
- Won off higher marks last summer. Not completely dismissed if securing a run.
- Would benefit from collapse up front.
- Mark: 6/10
Others to Note
- Chocolate Truffles: interesting pedigree, runs in hood; hard to assess on debut.
- Shadow Paddy: trainer cold and recent form below par.
- Diamond Steel: possible improver off low mark; watch if market speaks.
Tissue Estimate (Fair Odds Guide)
- Nusra – 7/2
- Bowgate Street – 11/2
- Onebrightbluerose – 13/2
- Getaway Henry – 8/1
- Tea It Is – 9/1
- Pebble to a Pearl – 12/1
- Ameilya – 14/1
- Swelltime (RES) – 16/1
- Diamond Steel – 16/1
- Others 20/1+
Summary Advice
- Primary Win Contender: Nusra
- Main Dangers: Bowgate Street, Onebrightbluerose
- Improvers to Watch: Ameilya, Diamond Steel
- Market Watching: Watch for support on Tea It Is and any late moves for Getaway Henry or Bold Brook (trainer stat noted). Avoid backing runners off 180+ day layoffs without market support.
Leave a comment