20:20 Roscommon
Monday 12 June 2017
All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:50
thetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | 3m 201y | Yielding to Soft | 16 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 20:20 | Winning time: 6m 33.80s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Beaten 3.5l by Auvergnat at Killarney and hard to say he will have enough in reserve now he meets his old rival on better terms. Possible his new trainer has found the key to unlocking more improvement but topweight does him no favour and he still faces a tough test on these terms.
2lb below his last winning mark but has been off for the best part of four months and is likely to need the outing. Yard highly respected, so still worth a check in the betting.
Following a similar route to last season, so can be expected to be a lot sharper after his return to action in April - won his second start back after a similar build up last term. Ground and trip also suit. Big chance.
Form hit the buffers last time out and, with his losing run now stretching back to November 2015, he comes here with something to prove.
Questions to answer regarding his fitness after being pulled up (in the Galway Plate) when last seen out. Trip and ground not an issue for future reference though.
Well treated in comparison to his Cross Country rating and took full advantage to score in good style at Killarney. More to under a 9lb penalty but still highly progressive and very much the one to beat here.
Never won beyond an extended 2m6f, so slight stamina query against him. Acts well on the ground and has always been a better chaser than hurdler. Should again run his race but needs a lot to swing in his favour.
Bit to prove over the trip but doesn't have too many miles on the clock and does still have a bit of scope. More than likely to attract support given his connections but may be risky for win only with Auvergnat in the line up.
Acts well on heavy ground but 3m stretches him to the limit but was placed off his current mark when last sent over fences. Place claims if he can save something in reserve for a final push.
Good record over fences so far and shapes with plenty of promise. 3m no problem over hurdles, so has to merit consideration as an improving type for the shortlist here.
Third behind Auvergnat last time at Killarney, so obviously has to improve on that effort. Should run his race but still has to up the ante considerably to reverse recent form with the likely favourite.
Lightly raced in recent times but didn't run too badly on seasonal return at Leopardstown. Has also run well over C&D in the past, so no forlorn hope. But still difficult to assess how much ability he retains and suspicion that others have a fitness edge is a strongly persuasive factor.
Unseated the rider a couple of times in recent outings but completed starts read well in the context of tonight's race. Was yet to be really popped a question when he unshipped the rider at Killarney latest, so has to be forgiven that mishap. Good chance if his jumping hold up this time around though.
This looks a lot tougher than the race he won at Down Royal and the fact he just scrambled home ahead of rival rated 112 suggests he will struggle to back it up in this company from a 4lb higher mark.
C&D winner last time out and has proved that she stays the trip well - has no issues with rain-soaked ground either. But doesn't do anything too quickly and may find this company a little too tough to deal with.
Just 5lb higher than last winning mark and has sound claims on the pick of his form. Back to something like his best last time out so holds solid place claims if he can use that as a platform.
Non-Runners
17
Anseanachai Cliste15
Weight: 10-3| Age: 9
T: S McConville J: Reserve 1
NR
Forecasts
Auvergnat (5/1), Static Jack (5/1), On Fiddlers Green (8/1), Whatareudoingtome (8/1), Anseanachai Cliste (8/1), Georges Conn (10/1), Carole Rose (10/1), Net D'Ecosse (10/1), Definite Soldier (12/1), Aurora Bell (14/1), Bearly Legal (16/1), Kansas City Chief (20/1), Curragh Golan (20/1), Damut (25/1), Smokey Joe Joe (25/1), Mountain King (33/1), Yes Tom (33/1)
Everything points towards the improving AUVERGNAT, who has adapted well to regulation fences and can be expected to make a bold attempt at shrugging off his 9lb penalty for winning at Killarney last month. On Fiddlers Green catches the imagination as one that is capable of putting up strong opposition, while Whatareudoingtome may well have troubled the selection had not unseated the last time they met; so he too merits serious consideration. Static Jack is on a retrieval mission but is still a chaser on the upgrade and is potential party pooper if he ups his game after failing to justify favouritism at Down Royal last month.
- Auvergnat
- On Fiddlers Green
- Static Jack
Prize Money
1st: €18,450.002nd: €5,700.003rd: €2,700.004th: €1,200.005th: €450.00
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