Thomas Gibney doesn’t get many winners, in last one year he has had only 7 wins from 120 runs. Last time he had a winner at his local course Navan was back in April 2017, when he landed a 203/1 double (16/1 & 11/1 winners), but he shows a good return here (+21 LSP, 5 wins from 72). His runner in this race RARE CONOR (16/1) is making his handicap debut after some fair efforts in maiden hurdles. Last run was a bit disappointing as he finished couple of places behind 111-rated horse, but maybe step up to 2 and half mile was against him, and he had earlier finished only couple of lengths behind one rated 115 which suggests his handicap mark of 113 is reasonable. Gibney’s runners usually improve in handicaps and he gets a win within first 3 handicaps with 25% of them (6 from 24). On first run in handicap it’s 3 from 24, but it’s 3 from 6 when ridden by today’s jockey Jonathan Moore. All 3 winners shortened in betting, 16/1 into 12/1, 6/1 into 7/2 & 25/1 into 9/1, so betting will be a good guide. Price on this one has moved to 16/1 from 25/1 last night, trainer has another runner today in 12:35 (Slicker City 33/1).