15:00 Gowran Park

Thursday 26 January 2017

All12:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 29.50s

Roi Des Francs²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C M Collins⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 157

22/1

Has run with promise in two starts over fences since switching to this yard, this is tough on first handicap chase start but gets a useful claim from the man on his back.

Form: 21166-3

Champagne West²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: D J Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 154

7/1

Easy winner on second start for this trainer at Tramore on New Year's Day (Roi Des Francs 12-length second). Stable in flying form and must be greatly respected.

Form: FP-3119

Clarcam^p,t⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 154

40/1

Behind Champagne West at Tramore and while he's since run well in valuable Leopardstown handicap, it appears his current mark is about right.

Form: 252052

Wounded Warrior^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: G N Fox| T: N Meade| OR: 152

25/1

Out of his depth in the Lexus latest, had previously run just a fair race when sent off favourite for a Listed contest at Thurles over 2m6f (behind Roi Des Francs).

Form: 13/226-4

My Murphy²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: W J Burke| OR: 148

16/1

Below par on return from layoff last time over hurdles, ran a stormer to win this contest a year ago and no surprise to see him mount another bold bid despite extra weight.

Form: 5PPP82

Pleasant Company^h²⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

10/1

Hasn't run since winning a Punchestown handicap chase off 139 in April, represents champion trainer/jockey combination and should be fit enough to do himself justice.

Form: 3413P-1

Measureofmydreams²⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 146

14/1

Off nine months and has left champion trainer since below par effort in Grade Three contest at Sandown. Joined another good yard, not ruled out.

Form: 0113F0-

Toon River^t¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: D F O'Regan| T: Miss M L Hallahan| OR: 144

25/1

Going well over fences around May of last year, off this kind of mark, reverts into this after recent runs over hurdles and goes back up in trip.

Form: 2/023PP-

Ucello Conti^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: D A Jacob| T: G Elliott| OR: 143

7/1

Ran a good race at Aintree to be fourth in valuable Grade Three handicap in early December, not quite as good at Leopardstown over Christmas but dangerous to write him off.

Form: 6236-74

Rogue Angel^b,t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 141

25/1

Last season's Irish Grand National hero has been struggling to hit the same heights since, including last month at Leopardstown.

Form: 41-0800

Thunder And Roses^p,t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: B J Foley⁽⁷⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 141

33/1

Irish National winner in 2015, ran best race since over 3m5f back at Fairyhouse in early December, likely to find a few of these too pacey.

Form: 5P-5P02

Jetstream Jack²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

8/1

Well beaten in Grade One novice chase over three-miles, makes handicap debut here and could be seen to much better effect.

Form: 127F53

Montys Meadow³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: P F Mangan| T: J J Mangan| OR: 140

10/1

Has some issues with jumping but ran sound race when second over 2m3f at Limerick in a handicap chase last month, up significantly in trip for this.

Form: 9321F-U

Prince Of Scars²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

13/2

Very smart hurdler, not quite as good thus far over fences but still learning and entitled to relish this challenge on handicap chase bow for trainer that is much-respected.

Form: 81113-2

Bless The Wings^p³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-5| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

25/1

Below form of late and trainer appears to hold more positive claims elsewhere in this.

Form: 820822

Bonny Kate⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 138

13/2

Ran well to be third in similar Navan contest in November, will be fresh for this and the mare is a likeable sort.

Form: 111P-63

Rogue Trader³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: T J Taaffe| OR: 137

13/2

Ran a good race when fourth in valuable Leopardstown handicap over Christmas at this trip, finishing in front of some of today's rivals. Same mark here and should be competitive.

Form: 1-515PP

Shadow Catcher^p,t⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: J J Burke| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

50/1

Efforts since returning to the track at Cork in July give him plenty to prove and he'll do well to have a say in the finish.

Form: UPP248-

Non-Runners

Sambremont³⁰

Weight: 10-3| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Reserve 1

Texas Jack³⁰

Weight: 10-1| Age: 11

T: N Meade J: Reserve 2

The Crafty Butcher³⁰

Weight: 10-1| Age: 10

T: W P Mullins J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

The Crafty Butcher (5/1), Bonny Kate (13/2), Rogue Trader (13/2), Prince Of Scars (13/2), Champagne West (7/1), Ucello Conti (7/1), Jetstream Jack (8/1), Pleasant Company (10/1), Montys Meadow (10/1), Measureofmydreams (14/1), My Murphy (16/1), Sambremont (20/1), Roi Des Francs (22/1), Rogue Angel (25/1), Wounded Warrior (25/1), Bless The Wings (25/1), Toon River (25/1), Thunder And Roses (33/1), Texas Jack (33/1), Clarcam (40/1), Shadow Catcher (50/1)

My Murphy is as good a starting point as any, last year's winner will likely mount another bold effort despite being up 9lb in what should be a fiercely competitive heat. JETSTREAM JACK'S trainer landed yet another valuable pot at Leopardstown on Sunday and on his first foray into handicap company here he has an excellent man on his back to enhance what look fair claims on the formbook. Stablemate Roi Des Francs has a big enough ask here on his handicap chase debut but could still have a say while his Tramore conqueror Champagne West is full of class and possesses rock solid claims for a yard going well. Pleasant Company is respected for his leading connections but has been tasked with a fair burden on his reappearance while Prince Of Scars is another handicap chase debutant worth of maximum respect in a typically deep field. 1. Jetstream Jack 2. Champagne West 3. Prince Of Scars