Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Hasty Times to come out on top at Clonmel

Clonmel hosts national hunt action this afternoon

Timeform's Irish team put forward three selections for this afternoon's national hunt meeting at Clonmel...

French import Un Beau Roman hasn't exactly set the world alight in two starts for Willie Mullins to date, but he bettered the form of his Irish debut when 24 lengths fourth of 15 to Balnagon Boy in a fair-looking maiden at Fairyhouse last time, travelling smoothly for a long way before ultimately proving one paced in the closing stages. The step up in trip this afternoon is expected to bring about some improvement and he looks worth supporting to get off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles.

Immediate Response certainly lived up to his name upon switching to the Willie Mullins stable last term, showing much improved form and landing a hat-trick over hurdles. He returned from a nine-month absence to make a successful start over fences at Limerick last month, impressing with his jumping and in full control when left clear at the last. That performance certainly indicated there was more to come from him in this sphere and he is taken to come out on top, despite giving up chasing experience to all four of his rivals.

Hasty Times ran to a fair level over hurdles last term and has managed to match that form on his last two starts over fences, producing his best effort to date when fifth to Tarquinius in a conditionals' handicap at Leopardstown last time. The form of that race has worked out quite well, with the first two home both scoring since, and Hasty Times looks to have been found a good opportunity to break his duck over fences this afternoon

Timeform Irish SmartPlays

Back Un Beau Roman in the 15:25
Back Immediate Response in the 15:55
Back Hasty Times in the 16:55

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