Boyne Cup (Handicap Chase)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 55.0s

Jayo Time^p³³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽⁷⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 130

9/1

Likeable type who runs well around this course although he's not been seen since falling here last May when looking as though he would finish a good second. Dropped 4lb since that run he's still 4lb above his last winning mark but has run well fresh before.

Form: 202/FF-5

Abidjan¹³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130

9/2

Winner over hurdles who made a winning chasing debut when with his former yard but was beaten twice subsequently over fences jumping poorly. Probably shaped a little better than his finishing position last time over hurdles and worthy of respect back over fences off a lower mark.

Form: 2F0542

I'dliketheoption^t¹⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127

11/4

Off the mark over fences on his third start when winning a C&D handicap from a 5lb lower mark. Has run well enough in two starts since both over stiffer fences and has made a few errors so a return here may well help him regain the winning thread.

Form: U14324-

Un Prophete³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

7/1

Better over fences than hurdles and has already made mark over C&D and at Southwell. Pulled-up last time out with a physical problem and it remains to be seen what he is capable of here.

Form: 02533-2

Ifandbutwhynot^t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 123

9/2

Came right back to form last time out when winning at Southwell to put an end to a long losing run off a mark that had fallen a long way. Still looks well treated on his old form if he can repeat that last run around a course that should suit.

Form: P57118-

Deadly Approach^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S-J Davies| OR: 117

4/1

His jumping had looked a little bit of a problem in his early chase starts but he looked far more assured over C&D last time out. The handicapper has given him a fair task now and raised him 13lb for that win and he steps into a higher grade with possible competition for the lead.

Form: 3UU143-

Lord Ben²³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: James Banks| T: D L Williams| OR: 113

14/1

Certainly given a chance by the handicapper off a mark such as this and looks to have returned to form last time out. Promising young claimer takes the ride here but he does faces some in-form types and a creditable run may be the best that can be hoped for.

Form: 34232-3

Forecasts

I'dliketheoption (11/4), Deadly Approach (4/1), Ifandbutwhynot (9/2), Abidjan (9/2), Un Prophete (7/1), Jayo Time (9/1), Lord Ben (14/1)

An interesting little heat with some in-form types going to post and iy should be run at a sound pace with the likes of Lord Ben and Deadly Approach likely to go forward. I’dliketheoption will be favoured by a return here and fences that he can handle and this strong travelling sort should go close along with the back from a break Jayo Time who acts well around here. IFBUTANDWHYNOT is still well-in off this mark though on his old form and he looked a rejuvenated sort last time out and he could well follow up his Southwell win off just a 6lb higher mark.