14:20 Fairyhouse
Saturday 4 February 2017
All13:1013:4514:2014:5015:2516:0016:30
Boylesports Irish Grand National April 17th Handicap Chase (0-109)
- 5YO plus | 2m 5f 100y | Soft to Heavy | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 3.70s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Won as he pleased over two-miles at Down Royal on Tuesday, goes up just 4lb for that and looks to have a big say in this now stepped up in trip.
Was mixing things nicely over hurdles and fences when last seen, winning off this mark over fences at Perth three starts back. Hasn't raced for 552 days however and that must be a concern.
Eight-race maiden over fences, recent efforts have been underwhelming and doesn't appeal as a likely winner of this contest.
Won this race in game fashion 12 months ago off a 1lb higher mark, has switched yards since and form in three starts for new trainer makes follow-up win hopes back here look forlorn.
Was a wide margin winner of a beginners' chase at 50/1 back in April at this track, been struggling ever since over hurdles or fences. Was in with a chance last month at Punchestown before backing out of it and being pulled up.
First start for this yard and returned from a 321 day layoff to win at Punchestown last month over 2m4f. Rallied gamely to score, the front pair miles clear. Tough race but every chance again up 7lb if none the worse just 21 days on.
Has run some decent races in six starts since going chasing, perhaps just lacks that touch of class to get the job done however and may be playing for places again.
Ran an admirable race at this venue over three-miles ten days ago when fourth of 13. That was first run since April and he is now 14-years-old but clearly still enthusiastic for the game.
Remains a maiden after 13 races over jumps, three most recent of which have come since going chasing. Form suggests he's going to struggle here again.
Mare hasn't shown a lot in four starts over fences, jumping let her down when unseating rider at this venue ten days ago.
Looks held on recent form, sole success came at Down Royal in March 2015 and hard to imagine he'll add to that tally now.
Tramore run in December off this mark was not devoid of promise, but finds winning tough and doesn't always have much to offer in the closing stages.
Forecasts
Holeinthewall Bar (9/4), Tulpar (3/1), Paper Lantern (4/1), Off The Charts (10/1), Town Pond (14/1), Telenor (16/1), Flynsini (16/1), Sunsetstorise (20/1), Court Adjourned (20/1), Fiddlers Way (20/1), Festive Day (25/1), St Maxime (25/1)
Last year's winner Sunsetstorise looks very much up against it to follow up for his new trainer on recent evidence but the same certainly cannot be said of HOLEINTHEWALL BAR. He was an effortless winner at Down Royal earlier this week and will scarcely know he had a race. The extra yardage isn't a worry and he will take plenty stopping. St Maxime would be a threat on previous form but has to defy a long layoff which rather tempers any enthusiasm at this stage. The chief threat ought to come from Tulpar, who returned to action with a game Punchestown success last month. The front two were well clear in that and he stands a big chance if not suffering any ill-effects. Town Pond may run well for a long way but the formbook suggests he'll find it harder the close they get to home.
1. Holeinthewall Bar
2. Tulpar
3. Town Pond
Prize Money
1st: €7,392.002nd: €2,292.003rd: €1,092.004th: €493.005th: €192.00
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