17:00 Punchestown

Saturday 29 April 2017

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

Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase (0-150) (Grade B)

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 6m 33.30s

Sizing Codelco²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150

4/1

Showed vastly improved form when always looking the likely winner at Aintree last time. Faces a different test on this track and off a significantly higher mark. Trainer/jockey combination are 2-2 here this week.

Form: 8P2401

Marinero^p1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

14/1

Top trainer now applies cheekpieces following a deterioration in his jumping. Has work to do in order to regain the confidence of punters.

Form: 2122U4

O'Faolains Boy²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul Townend| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 138

10/1

Won the 2014 RSA but looks to have developed issues since and has been pulled up on all three runs this term. Yard are 2-52 since February.

Form: P87-PPP

Ttebbob^h,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 138

12/1

Signs of a return to his best last time in a conditions race where he had little chance at the weights. A blunder three out did not aid his cause but he may prefer the ground much softer.

Form: P03764

Heron Heights^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Phillip Enright| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 137

16/1

Had Tiger Roll behind when landing a Cheltenham novice in October. Below that level on softer ground since and chances hinge on how the ground is riding here.

Form: 19116P

Rogue Trader⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: J S McGarvey| T: T J Taaffe| OR: 137

9/1

Three best runs have come here including a victory over 2m6f in November. Last two runs suggest he has completely lost his way and yard are 0-20 since the turn of the year.

Form: 1-515PP

Sandymount Duke²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: M J Bolger| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 137

7/1

7-17 under rules and has finished fourth in the bumper here and was third to Bellshill in the Grade One 3m novice hurdle last year. Goes well fresh and returns to action on better ground than last time. Looks well treated on his hurdling form and could add to his trainer's tally here this week.

Form: 321145-

Fine Theatre^b⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: M P Fogarty| T: P Nolan| OR: 135

12/1

Excellent run on return from an 11 month break. Well weighted on his defeat of The Winkler a year ago but still to prove he stays this trip.

Form: 4P14/38-

The Crafty Butcher⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

10/3

Almost three years since his last win under rules. Stays well but hard to argue he is well handicapped given his profile. Stable took this last year.

Form: 1-732F3

Space Cadet⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 133

14/1

Versatile in terms of trip but has been campaigned on much softer ground than this. Arrives having bypassed the other spring festivals and worth noting in the market given a fair handicap mark.

Form: 152027

Forever Gold^b1¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: C D Timmons⁽⁵⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 131

12/1

Beat a good field over 3m5f at Fairyhouse in December and has only had one "sharpener" over hurdles since. Blinkers are tried but this may not provide the test he needs at this level.

Form: 2-20218

Hash Brown^t⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 129

12/1

Winner at Galway in October and not disgraced behind A Toi Phil last time. Usually attracts support when a significant run is expected so a market check is advised.

Form: P31P54-

Solstice Son^b,t³⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: J M Moore| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127

25/1

Winner of a couple of minor races at Cheltenham and Fontwell a year ago. That form leaves him with plenty to find and he has been off the course since June.

Form: 6611/7F-

Non-Runners

Katnap²²

Weight: 10-7| Age: 10

T: J P O'Brien J: J J Slevin

Retour En France¹

Weight: 9-13| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Danny Mullins

Forecasts

The Crafty Butcher (10/3), Sizing Codelco (4/1), Katnap (6/1), Sandymount Duke (7/1), Rogue Trader (9/1), O'Faolains Boy (10/1), Retour En France (10/1), Forever Gold (12/1), Hash Brown (12/1), Fine Theatre (12/1), Ttebbob (12/1), Space Cadet (14/1), Marinero (14/1), Heron Heights (16/1), Solstice Son (25/1)

Sizing Codelco produced a breathtaking display at Aintree and this hardly looks any more competitive. His new handler has unlocked the potential he has always promised to show and it would be no surprise to see him take this en-route to better things. He is set to concede 13lb here to SANDYMOUNT DUKE who had Tiger Roll 7L behind when scoring at Killarney last July. He goes well when fresh and has run two big races at the last two festivals here. Jessica Harrington has had a good week and has got him in here on a good mark. Hash Brown and Space Cadet are capable on their day and are worth noting in the market in an open race.