20:15 Wexford

Friday 7 July 2017

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Michael Moore Mercedes-Benz & Volkswagen, Portarlington & Athlone Handicap Chase (0-109)

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 5m 4.30s

Crosshue Boy¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: S Doyle| OR: 109| CD

8/1

Headed close home on his fencing debut at Navan in March (2m4f heavy), he was subsequently a course winner over hurdles, but has been unable to reproduce that form over fences since, although a return to this trip should suit.

Form: 2190-99

Give Me A Break^p1²³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: M Hourigan| OR: 109| BF| D

25/1

An eleven race maiden over fences (3 from 15 over hurdles), and the first time cheek-pieces are applied for her first start since November 2016.

Form: 2/23708-

Heaney^b¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: B R Hamilton| OR: 109| BF

14/1

Not won since taking a novice chase for Tom Taaffe in October 2013 but placed on a couple of occasions over 3m this spring (including in a Point-to-Point). Well held when favourite at Downpatrick a fortnight ago (struck into).

Form: 8U923-0

Sea's Aria^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 109

8/1

In front when falling late on at Limerick in May (2m3f handicap chase good) having earlier been in decent enough form on the Flat. Open to improvement over fences (just four starts) but needs to show he's recovered from that unfortunate spill.

Form: 95360-F

Eiri Na Casca¹⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 107

16/1

A four time winner over fences, and has proved himself to be versatile in terms of trip. Off the track since late January when sixth in a competitive Leopardstown event.

Form: 175P36-

Shake The Bucket¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N P Madden| T: N Madden| OR: 107| C| D

11/2

Produced a fine effort on his first attempt over fences for 13 months when 7L second to Black Zambezi at Kilbeggan (2m4f) last week. Raised 1lb but clear place prospects if maintaining a similar level of form on slightly faster ground.

Form: 71214-2

Deano³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: A E Lynch| T: Miss M L Hallahan| OR: 106

33/1

Not won since April 2015 (2m soft at Clonmel), but taking closer order over hurdles when brought down at the second last at Kilbeggan early last month. Back over fences, but needs to show more in order to figure.

Form: 889F-8B

Patsio^b³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J R Barry| OR: 103

12/1

An eight race maiden over fences, but not beaten too far when third over this trip at Killarney on his penultimate start and races from a similar mark tonight.

Form: 0030-34

Ballyfinboy^t³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: J R Finn| OR: 102

33/1

Veteran whose recent form figures over fences aren't all that inspiring (P,P,3,U), and putting that to one side seems most effective over 2m to 2m2f in any case.

Form: 83-U3PP

Jack The Hat^p,t⁶⁷⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: Robbie Colgan| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 102| CD

25/1

Not raced since August 2015, and whilst a one time fair performer (in 2013) this would be a stunning training performance to bring this twelve year old back into competitive action.

Form: 315834/

Burning Issues^b¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: T James| OR: 101| BF| D

9/1

Wexford regular having run at this track on five of his last six starts, and sent off favourite for a similar contest here last month. However, he could only finish fifth to Roevin Star, and is yet to taste success after six rules starts over fences. Drops in trip.

Form: 448-635

Roevin Star¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B T O'Connell| T: E Doyle| OR: 98| C

6/1

Built upon a solid third at Tramore (2m5f+), when produced late from off the pace to win by 3L over 3m1f here a fortnight ago. Whilst the drop in trip and subsequent 6lb rise are a concern, this doesn't appear to be an overly strong race, and this lightly raced sort should take all of the beating.

Form: 04P-531

Robin De Roost^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney| OR: 97| D

11/2

All out to score by ½L on his handicap debut at Punchestown in late May (2m4f good), beating subsequent Clonmel winner Eight Till Late. Raised 6lb and meets another recent winner in the shape of Roevin Star, but obvious claims if able to replicate that apparent improvement.

Form: 38P80-1

Free Of Charge³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 95

13/2

0 from 18 over fences (rules and Point-to-Point), and not won over hurdles since his days in England with Philip Hobbs, so not the most attractive prospect overall. Raced in points most latterly for this trainer, and looks tough to recommend now back handicapping.

Form: 3324-44

Non-Runners

Old Supporter³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 12

T: Ms H P Markham J: Reserve 1

Charlotte's Chum¹¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: P Byrne J: Reserve 2

Kilna Shane¹¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 8

T: M O Quigley J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Old Supporter (10/3), Kilna Shane (5/1), Robin De Roost (11/2), Shake The Bucket (11/2), Roevin Star (6/1), Free Of Charge (13/2), Crosshue Boy (8/1), Sea's Aria (8/1), Burning Issues (9/1), Patsio (12/1), Charlotte's Chum (12/1), Heaney (14/1), Eiri Na Casca (16/1), Jack The Hat (25/1), Give Me A Break (25/1), Ballyfinboy (33/1), Deano (33/1)

First reserve Old Supporter would have reasonable claims granted a run and this would result in a reshuffle of the market. However, whilst respecting the claims of Sea's Aria and Shake The Bucket, the pair to concentrate upon are the recent winners Robin De Roost and ROEVIN STAR. Clear preference is for the 3m1f course winner who should get away with the drop back in trip. He should prove stronger than the Thomas Gibney trained Punchestown winner whose form has admittedly been handsomely franked by Eight Till Late since.