18:40 Punchestown

Wednesday 26 April 2017

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

Guinness Handicap Chase (Grade A)

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 5m 13.9s

Devils Bride^p1²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 155

25/1

Has been out of form this season since leaving the Mullins team, again disappointing in Fairyhouse Grade Two over 2m1f earlier this month. Gets first-time cheekpieces now but yard have been a little tentative of late and probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 1U395F-

Irish Cavalier^t1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 155

12/1

Won this contest in good style 12 months ago, is a classy chaser at his best and hasn't had many easy tasks since winning at Wetherby over 3m in October. Pulled up in Cheltenham Gold Cup and struggled in the Topham at Aintree, first-time tongue strap added on return to this venue.

Form: 1P35P0

Viconte Du Noyer⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 148

25/1

Landed a surprise win in a Cheltenham Grade Three in November but has been struggling since, pulled up in the Welsh National and again last month at Cheltenham on sole start this year. Jumping errors have been undermining him and has a bit to prove right now.

Form: 3-310PP

Sizing Granite^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 146

14/1

New trainer has been unable to unlock a revival in him thus far, pulled up in the Queen Mother last month and since struggled over hurdles. Perhaps a return to Irish soil will spark some improved form but hard to be confident in him currently.

Form: P2-P5P5

Jetstream Jack^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

7/1

Hasn't managed to get over the line since landing a beginners' event at Tipperary in October but this drop back in trip could be a significant help and is not to be written off with yard in form.

Form: 127F53

Mr Diablo^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 139

12/1

Found things too hot in the Topham at Aintree last time out but does boast decent form in this country, including fine handicap success at Leopardstown in March over 2m5f in testing ground. Could well bounce back to form here.

Form: 23710B-

Polidam^h1¹⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

7/4

Has won over fences in his native France and rates an intriguing proposition now pitched straight into a handicap of this nature on his first start since joining the team at Closutton. Could prove very dangerous to underestimate his claims with Walsh on top.

Form: 23-6713

Draycott Place^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 135

28/1

Has had a busy campaign already, unable to get his head in front since pair of wins in the autumn and switches back to fences now after below par hurdles run at Limerick last month, has a bit to prove in this field currently.

Form: 333F74

Vintage Vinnie¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: J M Moore| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 133

10/1

Has been treading water this season over fences, though did shape slightly better last time in the Topham at Aintree. Has a bit to find but trainer won this last year with Irish Cavalier (runs again today).

Form: 113P87

Rightdownthemiddle¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

6/1

Hasn't won since 2015 but ran a fine race in a Listed 3m contest at Aintree last time, no match for easy winner but came well clear of the remainder and races off 5lb lower mark. Looks a big threat to all on that evidence.

Form: 2772P2

Akito¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J R Barry| OR: 131

20/1

Career-best to win at Tramore over this trip earlier in the month, that was admirable but given that three of his four rivals failed to complete, it may pay to treat the form with caution. This demands another step forward, irrespective.

Form: 3P0618-

Vent De La Cote^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: N P Madden| T: M Brassil| OR: 129

14/1

Good run at Navan in a handicap three weeks ago to finish third of 17 off this mark. Clearly needs something more in this company to score.

Form: 321-3P3

Winter Magic^b,t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: Phillip Enright| T: J J Mangan| OR: 128

25/1

Consistent chaser, latest ran third in 3m Grade Three contest at Cork this month. Has a bit to find with some of these on form but entitled to run his race.

Form: 413539-

Peoples Park⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: T J Taaffe| OR: 127

12/1

Winner at Fairyhouse over 2m1f in December though has since struggled in tough handicaps over a variety of trips, needs to put his best foot forward now to have a say in the finish.

Form: 14105P

Forecasts

Polidam (7/4), Rightdownthemiddle (6/1), Jetstream Jack (7/1), Vintage Vinnie (10/1), Irish Cavalier (12/1), Peoples Park (12/1), Mr Diablo (12/1), Sizing Granite (14/1), Vent De La Cote (14/1), Akito (20/1), Viconte Du Noyer (25/1), Winter Magic (25/1), Devils Bride (25/1), Draycott Place (28/1)

On just his fourth start for this trainer, RIGHTDOWNTHEMIDDLE delivered a much improved and notable performance at Aintree earlier this month. He proved no match for a strong winner there but was much the best of the rest and is weighted to go well in this field. If he reproduces that run, he should be in the firing line when it matters most. Polidam is a newcomer to this country and commands instant respect given connections, pitched straight into a handicap any money for him will be well worth heeding. Last year's winner Irish Cavalier shouldn't be discounted from a return to form while Jetstream Jack is another worth of shortlisting.