15:40 Gowran Park

Saturday 11 March 2017

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 57.30s

Draycott Place^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 136

8/1

Still held chances when coming down two from home on his most recent outing in a chase at Thurles last month. Had been highly tried in a Grade 2 contest prior to that but has placed off a 1lb higher mark already this season and he looks likely to give a good account once more.

Form: 333F74

Westerners Son^b¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 135

12/1

Winner of his penultimate start off an 8lb lower mark when making all under today's jockey at Naas last month. Subsequently beaten 40L in a Grade 3 contest at the same track and is one to note here.

Form: 34132-P

Fine Theatre^b³⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Fogarty| T: P Nolan| OR: 134

16/1

Easy winner of a beginners chase here 12 months ago but well held when last of four in a Grade 2 contest at Limerick the following month. Makes his handicap debut off a mark 12lb higher than for his latest hurdles effort (January 2016) in this.

Form: 4P14/38-

Winter Magic^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: D N Russell| T: J J Mangan| OR: 124

4/1

Winner at Thurles on his penultimate outing in January and finished third off this 6lb higher mark over 2m4f here subsequently. Interesting to see how he fares dropping back a further 2f in trip here.

Form: 413539-

Toushan^v⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: R Loughran| T: T Foley| OR: 123

5/1

Dual course winner including over 2m4f here 13 months ago, races off a 1lb higher mark here and interesting after putting in a solid effort when third in a first time visor (retained here) at Clonmel earlier this month.

Form: 2135-07

New Kid In Town⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 122

5/1

Running well prior to coming down two out over 2m5f last time out. Last win came at Cork back in October and though representing top connections it's a concern that he's failed to complete the last twice.

Form: 51316F

Caolaneoin^t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Nolan| OR: 121

14/1

Best effort this season came when finishing runner-up at Fairyhouse over 2m1f in December. Has suffered three defeats then including behind Westerners Son at Naas last time out.

Form: 274562-

Kilcarry Bridge^t⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 120

10/1

Finished runner-up in a novice chase at Clonmel earlier this month and not beaten far off 1lb lower mark on most recent handicap chase outing at Naas in January. Interesting runner with a useful conditional booked.

Form: 457212

Samanntom^t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: A Fogarty| OR: 116

8/1

Has been in great form over fences winning two of his last three starts in this sphere. Well beaten back over hurdles last time out but interesting contender off a mark 4lb higher than when victorious at Clonmel last month.

Form: 368612

Black Zero^b⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: M A Enright| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 110

5/1

Has been raise 3lb for his most recent outing when finishing a 1L runner-up at Clonmel over 2m4f last week. Has a bit to do with Weterners Son on their running at Naas a month ago but likely to run well once more.

Form: 542212

Forecasts

Winter Magic (4/1), Black Zero (5/1), Toushan (5/1), New Kid In Town (5/1), Samanntom (8/1), Draycott Place (8/1), Kilcarry Bridge (10/1), Westerners Son (12/1), Caolaneoin (14/1), Fine Theatre (16/1)

With plenty of contenders who like to race on or near the pace here it may pay to side with confirmed stayer WINTER MAGIC. The selection has won over as far as 3m1f in the past and proved his liking for this track with finishing third here last month under today's jockey. Draycott Place ran well prior to coming down when last seen out in a chase at Thurles last month while another last time out faller New Kid In Town can claim third in what looks a competitive renewal of this Grade B contest.