15:50 Downpatrick

Sunday 26 March 2017

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Toals Bookmakers Ulster National E.B.F. Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 7m 19.8s

Folsom Blue^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 136

8/1

Stays really well and often contests the big handicaps (fourth in last year's Irish Grand National). In great form at present after winning an Naas and then following up with a second in the Leinster National the week after. Obvious chance again but drying ground would not be ideal.

Form: 4B-4PP0

Tulsa Jack^b¹⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 133

10/1

Not seen since pulling up behind Tiger Roll in the Leinster National last October but had been in decent form before that. Looks on a high enough mark now, though, and no great record when fresh, so more likely winners.

Form: 146P29-

Federici⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 131

8/1

English raider that hated the heavy ground at Haydock last time (refused when well behind) and will find likely conditions here more to his liking. Won this from a 6lb lower mark last year and given his liking for the course, has to be considered again.

Form: 56P306

Captain Von Trappe^b¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C M Collins⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 127

12/1

Jumping not always the best and hasn't added to his 2015 win in 20-odd starts since. Been kept fit for this with three runs over hurdles, and although not completely disgraced when last seen over fences in January, has a bit to prove now.

Form: 5F578P-

Definite Ruby^b⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 126

7/1

Finished seventh in this last year, weakening out of it from the last, but comes here in better form this year and may be worth another chance at the trip. Game win over a trip arguably too short over hurdles last time out and still looks on a feasible mark back over fences.

Form: 87-1214

Baby Bach²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: A E Lynch| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 125

20/1

Never in it at Ayr last time out, and eventually pulled up early in the straight. Unexposed but lacks the experience for the hurly-burly of this, and has stamina to prove as well. All looks too much to handle.

Form: 0/45P60-

Georges Conn¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 120

8/1

Has ground to make up with Folsom Blue on last run but that was at least a better attempt, having failed to complete on his previous two starts (unseated both times). However, seems to have lost the winning habit (no win for 20 months) and needs to improve again on that to get involved.

Form: 2FU533-

Love Rory^p1⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: E Bolger| OR: 119

8/1

Has tried this trip but yet to actually win beyond three miles, so has stamina to conclusively prove. Running okay without setting the world alight at present and needs the first time cheekpieces to have a major effect. More likely winners.

Form: 745R42-

Angus Milan^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: R Loughran| T: N C Kelly| OR: 118

7/1

Only the six runs over fences, so less exposed than a few here, and making a decent fist of it so far, winning at Kelso and a solid second to an improving horse at Ayr last time. Stamina to prove (although shapes like he might appreciate it) but on a good looking mark and one of the more likely ones.

Form: 1F0-805

Topper Thornton⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr N McParlan⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 118

7/1

Throws in the odd good run amongst some poor ones (usually at Down Royal) and one of his better efforts last time, sticking to the task to finish third to Roi Des Francs. Fourth in this from a 6lb higher mark and looks to have been campaigned with this race in mind. Likely conditions fine.

Form: P8P039-

St Maxime⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 104

8/1

Has taken a run or two to find full fitness after an 18 month absence but much better a fortnight ago at Down Royal (over hurdles), staying on well and not beaten far in the end. Looks to be coming good at the right time and chances if getting the trip.

Form: 17-B757

Anseanachai Cliste^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: S McConville| OR: 97

8/1

Multiple Open point-to-point winner, and has won over as far as 4m, so no issues with the trip, and seems to act on all ground as well. Looks well handicapped on point-to-point form and although this is a different kettle of fish, simply cannot be ignored.

Form: 1-11111

Forecasts

Definite Ruby (7/1), Topper Thornton (7/1), Angus Milan (7/1), Anseanachai Cliste (8/1), Georges Conn (8/1), Federici (8/1), St Maxime (8/1), Folsom Blue (8/1), Love Rory (8/1), Tulsa Jack (10/1), Captain Von Trappe (12/1), Baby Bach (20/1)

Hard to weigh up the chances of Anseanachai Cliste but what we do know is that he stays well and has picked up a winning habit, neither of which are bad things, and he may well get in the mix. Federici won this for Enda Bolger last year and has his conditions again, so has to be on the shortlist, but the vote goes to DEFINITE RUBY, who is in better form for this than was the case a year ago and can take advantage of a fair mark. St Maxime has stamina to prove but looks to be peaking at the right time.

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