Wexford; Analysis of the Timewise Top Two +The Spotlight Verdict + Race Stats for Sunday.

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This response works through all the scheduled Wexford races in chronological order, providing the requested analysis for each race, drawing exclusively from the provided sources.

Wexford Races Analysis (Chronological Order)


12.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase (2m31/2f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Leave In Secret, Magic Day.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Leave In Secret (6)Failed to complete both point starts. Got off the mark in a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle in August before winning a Galway handicap (off 105) the following month. When last seen, didn’t run badly at Gowran (2m, soft), finishing third after being headed in the final 110 yards. This is his chase debut.
Magic Day (6)Was a point-to-point runner-up. Ran with credit in four maiden hurdles before achieving his first win at Kilbeggan in April over an extended 2m3f (yielding). Was well behind at Punchestown in his subsequent hurdles outing. He is the choice of jockey Darragh O’Keeffe.

Spotlight Verdict: This looks like a nice opportunity for KILBARRY SAINT (nap) who was keeping good company over fences last season without being disgraced and this is much easier. Palamon was running another good race over fences when unseating at the last at Ballinrobe and he should be in the mix again. Crescent Moon ran with credit behind higher-rated rivals on chase debut at Galway and she may get involved at this lower level.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 5yo 2-2-18, 6yo 5-7-33, 7yo 2-6-23, 8yo 0-0-10, 9yo 0-1-2, 10yo 0-0-1, 11yo 0-0-1. (4yo: 0-0-1).
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): 211161121.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): Henry De Bromhead 1-2-5, Ross O’Sullivan 1-0-1, Gavin Cromwell 0-1-2, Paul Nolan 0-2-5.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Leave In Secret:
    • Strengths: Strong recent form over hurdles, including a handicap win off 105.
    • Weaknesses: Chase debut; previously failed to complete both attempts in points.
    • Suitability: Unproven over fences; relies on translating hurdle form to chasing.
  • Magic Day:
    • Strengths: Point-to-point runner-up, suggesting aptitude for fences. Recent hurdles win in April. Selected by his jockey.
    • Weaknesses: Subsequent run after his hurdles win was poor.
    • Suitability: Potential chaser based on point form, though Kilbarry Saint is the stable’s second runner and the Spotlight Verdict favours others.

1.05 Jim And Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase (2m31/2f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Battle Of Ridgeway, Duty Bound.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Battle Of Ridgeway (7)Achieved his second chasing win in a C&D handicap in August (good), where he was arguably value for more (idled and rider misjudged finish line). Subsequently ran well off his current mark, finishing a keeping on third (17.5f, yielding to soft) at Listowel. He is considered one of the likelier contenders.
Duty Bound (6)Winner of his sole chase start over C&D in August last year off a mark of 102 (good to yielding). Has bagged two wins over hurdles this season (extended 2m4f). Cheekpieces are now added to his tongue tie.

Spotlight Verdict: Course and distance winner BATTLE OF RIDGEWAY is given the nod to go in again following a good third at Listowel off his revised mark last time. Dark Note has shown good placed form across different disciplines since his Tipperary novice chase success in July and will be thereabouts again. Nouvotic is the pick of De Bromhead’s two, while Release The Beast has questions to answer following a tame end to last season but has big claims on his best form.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 5yo 0-1-1, 6yo 4-0-11, 7yo 2-7-24, 8yo 1-7-24, 9yo 1-0-5, 10yo 1-1-10, 11yo 0-0-2.
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): 634125616.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): Padraig Roche 1-0-2, Henry De Bromhead 0-3-7, Paul Nolan 0-1-5.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Battle Of Ridgeway:
    • Strengths: Proven course and distance winner. Confirmed he can be competitive off his current mark with a strong placing last time out.
    • Weaknesses: Previous tendency to idle/make mistakes when winning.
    • Suitability: Highly suitable, preferred by the Spotlight Verdict.
  • Duty Bound:
    • Strengths: Proven C&D chase winner (though off a lower mark). Recent dual hurdles winner, suggesting good current fitness. Wears combination headgear.
    • Weaknesses: Running off a mark 7lb higher than his sole chase win.
    • Suitability: Strong contender based on C&D win and current form, but faces tough competition against Battle Of Ridgeway.

1.40 William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle (2m1/2f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Parnell Street, The Store Boy.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Parnell Street (5)Confirmed promise shown in two bumpers with a clearcut win at Killarney in August (2m1f, good). Showed a good attitude to finish third at Listowel last time. Makes hurdling debut and looks a nice prospect.
The Store Boy (5)Put in a decent showing on debut at Tramore when challenging before fading into a 3.5l third behind two subsequent winners. He is the choice of jockey Darragh O’Keeffe and looks a key player.

Spotlight Verdict: Henry de Bromhead appears to hold a strong hand here with two big contenders in THE STORE BOY and King’s Bucks. The latter is declared for Galway on Saturday, while the former is the choice of O’Keeffe and should go close following a nice third on debut at Tramore. Parnell Street was a very easy bumper winner at Killarney and looks a nice prospect for hurdles. Sea Eagle made a good transition to this discipline at Downpatrick and the 83-rated Flat horse can build on that.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 5yo 7-11-57, 6yo 0-3-14, 7yo 0-0-5, 8yo 0-0-2, 9yo 0-0-2.
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): 1111511.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): Henry De Bromhead 3-5-8, Andrew Slattery 1-0-1, C A Murphy 0-1-3, Paul Nolan 0-2-3, Seamus Neville 0-1-3.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Parnell Street:
    • Strengths: Easy bumper winner with excellent attitude. Rated a nice prospect.
    • Weaknesses: Hurdling debutante.
    • Suitability: High potential, expected to transition well to hurdles.
  • The Store Boy:
    • Strengths: Promising debut bumper run against subsequent winners. Chosen by the stable’s top jockey.
    • Weaknesses: None apparent based on limited form.
    • Suitability: Key player and preferred selection by the Spotlight Verdict in the absence of his stablemate King’s Bucks.

2.14 William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle (2m4f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Jury Foreman, Open Secret.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Jury Foreman (4)Not disgraced on debut last month at Listowel (2m, gd-yld) when staying on for a 22l sixth of 17. The step up in trip looks certain to suit on that evidence. Jockey Sean O’Keeffe keeps the faith. He is one of three runners for the local yard that won this race last year.
Open Secret (4)A 1m6f Flat winner (peak rating 79 in that sphere). Showed an aptitude for hurdling on debut for Gordon Elliott when finishing a 9l fourth at Navan (2m5f, yielding). Has leading claims.

Spotlight Verdict: Paul Nolan won this last year and is triple handed. Loughanmore runner-up Gin Tonic is respected on Rules’ debut but JURY FOREMAN is preferred. He shaped like this trip would suit at Listowel last month and Sean O’Keefe keeps the faith. Open Secret is feared after his promising debut effort at Navan and Philip Rothwell’s point-to-point recruits Jessbers Wish and Fairlander are worth market checks.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 4yo 9-18-109.
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): P22332553.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): Paul Nolan 2-2-6, Gordon Elliott 1-3-11, M F Morris 0-1-3.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Jury Foreman:
    • Strengths: Expected to benefit significantly from the increased trip (2m4f) based on how he finished his debut run. Has the backing of the stable jockey and local winning connections.
    • Weaknesses: Finished 22l behind the winner on debut.
    • Suitability: Preferred selection by the Spotlight Verdict; expected major improvement with the distance increase.
  • Open Secret:
    • Strengths: Has relevant Flat form. Promising hurdling debut performance, finishing fourth.
    • Weaknesses: The drop in trip (from 2m5f debut) is noted as a slight concern.
    • Suitability: Strong contender based on experience and talent.

2.47 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle (2m4f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Dream On Baby, Mozzies Sister.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Dream On Baby (5)Dual-purpose runner, with a hurdles win coming in a Thurles maiden last November. Ran a decent race in a similar contest, finishing 5l runner-up at Listowel (2m4f, yld-sft) in September. Also showed a solid effort recently on the Flat. Considered a player.
Mozzies Sister (6)Top-rated horse (132). After winning a maiden, she ran well in defeat in listed, Grade 2 and Grade 1 company over 2m4f-2m7f last season. Was below par on her chase debut at Ballinrobe recently. She is the one to beat upon returning to hurdles.

Spotlight Verdict: This appears to concern three of them. Dream On Baby has been in decent form on the Flat and over hurdles recently and is respected, as is the unexposed Tipperary maiden winner Getaway Beo. However, MOZZIES SISTER ran well in defeat on multiple occasions in graded company last season and she can get back on track returned to hurdles after a below par chase run at Ballinrobe.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 4yo 2-1-9, 5yo 3-4-17, 6yo 4-3-20, 7yo 0-2-4, 8yo 0-0-2, 9yo 0-0-2.
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): 53211322P.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): Gordon Elliott 1-1-6, Declan Queally 0-3-5, P J Rothwell 0-1-1.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Dream On Baby:
    • Strengths: Proven winner. Consistent recent form across disciplines, including a runner-up finish over this trip recently.
    • Weaknesses: None specified for this class.
    • Suitability: Solid player who should be in the mix.
  • Mozzies Sister:
    • Strengths: Highest rated horse (132). Proven form in top-class company.
    • Weaknesses: Recent below-par chase debut requires her to bounce back.
    • Suitability: The one to beat if reproducing her previous hurdles form, and is the selection in the Spotlight Verdict.

3.22 Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle (Div I) (2m4f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Aclass, Oogum Boogum.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Aclass (7)Still a maiden. Ran a fine race on return from a 127-day break at Gowran (2m4f, yielding) off 1lb lower. Has prior course form over fences. Has a big chance if responding well to first-time cheekpieces.
Oogum Boogum (7)Has placed in two of his last three starts, running at distances around 2m6f (Galway and Downpatrick). Finished third in the latter race (beaten 3.5l) and races off the same mark now. Expected to be competitive despite dropping back slightly in trip, as the ground suits.

Spotlight Verdict: If Aclass takes to the new cheekpieces he will be thereabouts but OOGUM BOOGUM has been running well in defeat recently and he may be able to get his head in front dropped back in trip. Hob’s Angel, Backinabit and Cathryns Ruby complete the shortlist.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 4yo 1-2-7, 5yo 1-1-5, 6yo 1-2-9, 7yo 0-1-5, 8yo 0-0-3, 9yo 0-0-6, 10yo 0-0-2, 11yo 0-0-1.
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): 131.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): J P Flavin 0-1-1, Liz Doyle 0-1-2.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Aclass:
    • Strengths: Good seasonal return run. Course experience (over fences). Hope for improvement with new headgear (cheekpieces).
    • Weaknesses: Still seeking a first win (maiden).
    • Suitability: Has a big chance, but relies on cheekpieces.
  • Oogum Boogum:
    • Strengths: Consistent recent form, placing off this mark. Handles suitable ground.
    • Weaknesses: Dropping back slightly in trip from recent attempts at 2m6f.
    • Suitability: Favoured by the Spotlight Verdict for consistency and suitability to the ground and new trip.

3.56 Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle (Div II) (2m4f)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Hitthehayson, Stone Forest.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Hitthehayson (6)Has won both starts for Ian Donoghue, scoring over 2m4f at Roscommon (gd-yld) and making all over 2m6f at Downpatrick (yielding). Is seeking a hat-trick, but has incurred a total rise of 13lb.
Stone Forest (4)Won over C&D in August off 6lb lower, building on a previous promising C&D third. May not have been suited when beaten 22l after stepping up to 2m6f at Listowel last time. Not discounted back at this venue and over 2m4f.

Spotlight Verdict: The hat-trick seeking Hitthehayson should go well again dropped back in trip but going left-handed is an unknown so he is taken on with the August C&D winner STONE FOREST who may not have been suited by 2m6f at Listowel last time out. Morell River, Ballinaboola Gift and The Toothpicker are others worth considering.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: Race Statistics for this specific division (Div II) are not provided in the sources.
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): Race Statistics for this specific division (Div II) are not provided in the sources.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): Race Statistics for this specific division (Div II) are not provided in the sources.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Hitthehayson:
    • Strengths: Highly progressive, winning his last two starts. Known front-runner (made all in recent win).
    • Weaknesses: Significant weight rise (13lb total). Going left-handed for the first time is an unknown.
    • Suitability: High potential but faces risks regarding the track direction and penalty.
  • Stone Forest:
    • Strengths: Proven C&D winner. Expected to bounce back now dropping back to 2m4f after struggling at 2m6f. Preferred selection by the Spotlight Verdict.
    • Weaknesses: Beaten heavily (22l) last time out.
    • Suitability: High chance based on course and distance preference.

4.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race (2m)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated: Ballymoreen, Lady Lena.

HorseRecent Form & Comments
Ballymoreen (5)Her debut run saw her finish fourth in a Thurles bumper. She was below that standard on her most recent outing at Fairyhouse 15 days ago. Expected to give Lady Lena the most competition.
Lady Lena (5)Finished third on her debut at Listowel (yielding to soft), keeping on well. A repeat of that performance is expected to be enough to secure the win in this contest.

Spotlight Verdict: This is not a strong contest and a repeat of the performance that gave LADY LENA third at Listowel on debut will be enough. Question Piege may do better at this level after finishing tailed off in a strong Fairyhouse bumper on debut.

Race Statistics:

  • Age Groups: 5yo 6-11-58, 6yo 2-3-17, 7yo 0-1-2, 8yo 0-0-1. (4yo: Not eligible for this race).
  • Fate of Favourites (W-P-R): 11114111.
  • Trainer Records (W-Pl-R): W P Mullins 0-1-2.

Assessment of the Top Two:

  • Ballymoreen:
    • Strengths: Debut run form suggests potential at this level.
    • Weaknesses: Disappointing run on latest start.
    • Suitability: Expected to be the chief danger to the favourite.
  • Lady Lena:
    • Strengths: Promising debut placing. Represents Willie Mullins. The contest is considered weak, making her debut performance potentially sufficient for a win.
    • Weaknesses: None specified.
    • Suitability: Strong favourite and considered the likely winner by the Spotlight Verdict.

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