Racecards
15:50 Thurles (IRE)
Cat Busters Hurdle
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €16,500 added
- Winner: €11,385
- 2nd: €2,805
- 3rd: €1,320
- 4th: €825
- Form 13PU1-7
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
led, joined 7th, headed after 4 out, dropped to 3rd before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
- Form 096F-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
soon raced in 3rd, 2nd before straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, led before last, eased on to assert run-in
- Form 240-177
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer W Harney
- Jockey B J Cooper
soon raced in 4th, no impression under pressure 3 out, kept on without threatening
Killyglen (IRE)
187- Form 1/2PP2P-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey S Thomas
tracked leader, on terms 7th, led after 4 out, strongly pressed and joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, kept on without matching winner run-in
- Form P2-F19
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer M A Molloy
- Jockey Robbie Colgan
in touch last of the 5, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
A decent turnout for the money but AITMATOV stands out. Noel Meade's charge, who has a dozen career victories under his belt, landed a Grade 2 at Navan on his reappearance a year ago and though not quite matching that performance on his return at Tipperary early this month, his close second to stablemate Donna's Palm over a trip much too short is the best form on view here. Silverhand is in top form and should prove a worthy opponent as he bolted up at Galway in August having also scored there the previous month. There's more to come from him and he can snatch second spot from Askanna, still unbeaten after victories between the flags, in a bumper and two hurdles events. She'll need to make further progress against these but Elysian Rock will have come on for his recent run at Navan, his first since scoring over the C&D in January.
Formwatch
Elysian Rock 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, moderate 6th 4 out, moderate 4th next, soon no extra, 7th of 12, 22l behind Sivota (11-1) at Navan 2m 6f hdl sft in Sep.
Silverhand (IRE) 1-3fav (11-0) Raced towards rear in 4th, 3rd before 3 out, good jump next to go 2nd travelling best, led into straight, stayed on well run-in, not extended, easily, won at Galway 2m 4f hdl gf in Aug beating One Cool Tornado (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bruach Na Mara (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some headway and no impression from before 3 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 23l behind One Cool Tornado (11-7) at Listowel 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Sep.
Killyglen (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Chased leader, left in lead 4th, headed after 11th, pushed along approaching 17th, soon weakened, pulled up 18th, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Lady Of Synone (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, kept on from 3 out without threatening, 9th of 19, 39l behind Cool Oscar (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Aitmatov (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, capitalised on winner's mistake at last and led early run-in, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Donnas Palm (11-10) at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1).
Askanna (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd 3 out, soon challenged and led after next, wandered about and pressed from before last, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl beating Tilabay (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.