15:10 Punchestown

Saturday 29 April 2017

All14:3515:1015:5016:2517:0017:3518:1018:40

Three.ie Handicap Chase (0-145)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 8m 6.3s

Raz De Maree¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 141

16/1

Runner-up in this year's Welsh National but more recently has failed to complete in the Aintree and Irish equivalents. Faces a tough task for a veteran from the top of the weights.

Form: 1722UP

Bless The Wings^p,t¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 139

7/1

Runner-up in the past two Irish Nationals so is due a decent prize. Ground will not be an issue although his age might be, with younger horses dominating this contest in recent years.

Form: 820822

Sambremont¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

12/1

Jumping is a concern and proved his undoing in the Irish National when he was eventually pulled up. Ran well in a trial for that race here in February and needs to run to that level again to have a chance.

Form: BP2PPP-

Tulsa Jack^b³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 136

12/1

Unlucky to come up against a potentially well treated and unexposed horse in the Ulster National last time. Went down by a head and finished clear of the third. That was his first run in almost six months and he is entitled to improve. Under pressure in fourth when unseating two out in this last year.

Form: 146P29-

Cresswell Breeze^t¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130

16/1

Finished runner-up on two of her last three outings including over 3m at Bangor last time out. Has won over shorter in the past and an interesting runner in this. Engaged 3:10 Punchestown Friday

Form: 352529

Dare To Endeavour¹²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: D J Mullins| T: E McNamara| OR: 130

50/1

Runner-up in the 2015 Becher Chase but has looked a shadow of that horse since and was well behind when departing in the 2016 renewal.

Form: 0/75U0P-

Warrantor⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 130

9/1

Third in a gruelling race for the Midlands National last month. Prone to errors and best form has come on much more testing ground.

Form: P2-2573

He Rock's¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Paul Townend| T: S J Mahon| OR: 126

10/1

Stole a race at Roscommon under an enterprising ride from today's pilot. Heavily penalised for that success but has run some excellent races in defeat since. Only poor run came over 3m5f when he appeared not to stay and that has to be a concern in this.

Form: 565232

Call It Magic¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R M Power| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 125

7/1

Has been crying out for a trip but this is a huge step up from the 2m4f races he has been contesting lately. Not too badly treated and the jockey booking takes the eye.

Form: 2-21462

Captain Von Trappe^b³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 125

22/1

Jumping not always the best and hasn't added to his 2015 win in 20-odd starts since. Has plenty to find with Tulsa Jack on running in the Ulster National.

Form: 5F578P-

Undressed^t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: J S McGarvey| T: M Hourigan| OR: 125

40/1

Winner at Limerick in December but has failed to take much of an interest in two runs since. Not particularly well handicapped.

Form: 1371PP

Courtown Oscar¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Kirby| OR: 123

9/1

Has been aimed at this race but connections will have been hoping for much deeper ground than this. Will give his usual honest account from the front but others may be too quick for him.

Form: P-4P122

Georges Conn³⁴

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

18/1

Gets a significant pull with Undressed on running at Limerick over Christmas but looks held by Tulsa Jack on running in the Ulster National.

Form: 2FU533-

Apache Jack^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: M S Sandra Hughes| OR: 119

25/1

A thoroughly unreliable character these days, hasn't got his head in front since January 2015, regularly failing to complete the course. Doesn't appeal for betting purposes at the moment.

Form: P7P8P5

Capture The Drama¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: Aengus King| OR: 116

20/1

Winner of a couple of races this year and has been climbing the handicap as a result. Last three efforts suggest the handicapper may have his measure at present.

Form: 615457-

Red Giant¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 116

18/1

Yet to reproduce his hurdling form over the larger obstacles. Longer trip and better ground will help but he remains a gamble at this level so early in his career.

Form: 58506P-

White Arm^b,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: A J Martin| OR: 116

11/2

Produced in typical A J Martin fashion to produce a career best when scoring at Fairyhouse 12 days ago. Won with any amount in hand for today's young rider and not harshly penalised here. Blinkers had the desired effect and remains to be seen whether they have the same positive influence today. Stable took this in 2015.

Form: 453321

Stoughan Cross^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: T Gibney| OR: 111

25/1

Modest handicapper scored at Navan before finishing a well beaten sixth behind White Arm last time. No reason to expect him to fare any better here.

Form: 695416

Whatareudoingtome¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: N P Madden| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 111

16/1

Was in good form at this stage last year but has been regressive since. Recent efforts fail to offer any encouragement.

Form: 4F84U1-

Non-Runners

Arbre De Vie¹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Unknown Jockey

Forecasts

White Arm (11/2), Bless The Wings (7/1), Call It Magic (7/1), Courtown Oscar (9/1), Warrantor (9/1), He Rock's (10/1), Tulsa Jack (12/1), Sambremont (12/1), Whatareudoingtome (16/1), Cresswell Breeze (16/1), Raz De Maree (16/1), Arbre De Vie (16/1), Georges Conn (18/1), Red Giant (18/1), Capture The Drama (20/1), Captain Von Trappe (22/1), Apache Jack (25/1), Stoughan Cross (25/1), Undressed (40/1), Dare To Endeavour (50/1)

Tony Martin's handicappers are worth following at this festival. WHITE ARM is sure to be well supported for this based on his smooth performance in first time blinkers last time. An 8lb rise is not excessive and if staying the extra 6f he will take all the beating. Call It Magic has looked the type to improve for longer trips and, with the man for the big occasion in the saddle, he can give a good account. Arbre De Vie is well treated on his hurdling form and has been unlucky not to complete on his two latest starts. His second to Acapella Bourgeois looks good enough to give him an outstanding chance on these terms.