SEAN - Tipperary 7.55 - Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles - 15 run (3 reserves) - Good to Yielding - dry day

 

A fascinating little race.

 

We have the proven Course from from a race of a few weeks ago where Lucailem and Highland Penny were second and third in a similar race over Course and Distance, possibly flattered by their proximity to the winner and in which SWEET STING and En Avant also ran.

 

WE also have some exposed types in here like NICOLES MILAN who regularly pops up at big odds in enhanced places but who may need more rain, KEY COMMANDER who has a Chase win at the distance which rather blew its handicap cover in that genre, and the less exposed Nathaniels Dream who has run OK over sorter, but Pulled Up on only run at this trip and the unlikely favourite, at least on form Butty O'Brien who has moderate P2P form and who has placed at up to 20 furlongs.

 

I'll come back to SWEET STING, KEY COMMANDER and NICOLES MILAN but first lets looks at two unexposed types who I quietly fancy at nice prices here tonight.

 

MERRY MOVES has won a 3 mile P2P and makes Handicap Hurdle debut here. the collateral P2P form and Maiden runs suggests it's a lenent mark, not overtly so, but competitive and I expect a bold run now that it's up to what will clearly be its optimum trip.

 

FRONTIER GENERAL runs for Henry De Bromhead and Rachel Blackmore, but it's the P2P form that interests me as much as the connections. It's another upped to what will surely be its best trip on Handicap debut over Hurdles, and whilst both selections will no doubt be sent Chasing quite quickly, the collateral P2P form of FRONTIER GENERAL is quite eye-catching if you delve into it. It saw off Dream In The Park and Hector Javilex, both of whom found their way to decent Yards in the UK and who have thrived over in the mainland.    

 

I think both of these are worth following and tracking and well worth an investment tonight.

 

Of the more exposed types , Nicoles Milan may just need the run and some rain but KEY COMMANDER who is still only a 7 year old and who does have scope to improve and SWEET STING who has Course and Distance winning form and who will have benefitted from the run aforementioned behind two of the market leaders here tonight over Course and Distance a few weeks ago, both represent solid each way shrapnel value, if you wish to take it.

 

TRACKERS - Merry Moves + Frontier General - shrapnel - Key Commander + Sweet Sting (in order of preference)