Sandor Clegane © Photo Healy Racing
Clonmel hosts an intriguing card on Tuesday with Sandor Clegane, Franciscan Rock and Three Card Brag among smart contenders in the feature 3 Mile Hurdle. Our Formscan experts have studied today's racing and picked out a Lucky 15.
12.05 Clonmel, 2m. 91yds Maiden Hurdle
10-11 with William Hill
By Tom Weekes - In a race for previously unplaced horses, it is refreshing to read GIANT HAYSTACKS' recent form lines and has strong claims. Beaten 26 lengths in a Grade 3 contest on career debut last December, he has shown nice ability in recent months and having run well in a good point-to-point in October, finished nicely in a big-field handicap at Navan last month and a reproduction would give him every chance. Polly Poppins was leading but being challenged when falling at Tramore in October and has place claims while Mellem was well beaten in recent maidens hurdles but ran well in a bumper last September.
1.35 Clonmel, 2m. 3f. 97yds. Maiden Hurdle
1-1 with William Hill
By Tom Weekes - C'EST TA CHANCE showed smart ability in his bumper debut last January and has winning point-to-point experience. Narrowly defeated by a subsequently Grade 1-placed winner in that Naas race, he was subsequently well held in the Cheltenham Bumper and disappointed at Ayr in April but contests a winnable maiden today, stepping up in distance. Stablemate Jump Allen defeated a subsequent dual hurdle winner when scoring on debut at Killarney but should struggle to concede 8lb to the selection. Harry's Dream ran well at Gowran while point-to-point winner Onlymammycanloveme wears a tongue-tie on reappearance. Recent withdrawal Whatsanotheryear has been waiting such a long time for suitable ground, which until now wasn't there.
2.35 Clonmel, 2m. 3f. 97yds. H’cap Hurdle
5-1 with William Hill
There was a lot to like about ARDFERT MARY's runner-up spot over a similar trip in Gowran Park last month. John Ryan's mare came home well after the third-last hurdle and was clear of the remainder. Philip Rothwell and Tiernan Power Roche have been plundering plenty of winners and Duffys Hodey is another leading contender. This seven-year-old gelding ran his best race to date when getting up for second over a shorter trip in Tipperary. Ryan also has Love Like This who posted a runner-up berth in a higher grade at Thurles which reads well in the context of this race. This trip shouldn't inconvenience her.
1.57 Lingfield, 1m. 1yds. Flat H'cap.
4-1 with William Hill
UK Formscan - HAT TOSS opened his account on the all-weather with a victory at Chelmsford last month. An apprentice's allowance negates a 2lb rise and there looks more to come from James Owen's charge on this surface. Pjanoo (third) was beaten lees than a length behind the selection and can have a say in the outcome, while Newsreader has won three times over 7f at Kempton and looks worth another try over 1m.
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