20:30 Kilbeggan

Friday 21 July 2017

All17:5018:2518:5519:2520:0020:3021:00

Midlands National Handicap Chase

Off time: 20:31 | Winning time: 6m 22.30s

Marinero¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

16/1

High class staying chaser, finished within 4l of Thistlecrack last year at Cheltenham before an early unseat in the Royal & Sun Alliance at Cheltenham. Has warmed up for this with two hurdles starts and should be cherry ripe. Holds a solid chance despite the big weight.

Form: 2U4P-24

Tulsa Jack^b⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: G N Fox| T: N Meade| OR: 134| CD

8/1

Kept fresh for this (has gone well after a break before) and only 1lb higher than when a game second in the Ulster National at Downpatrick in March. Acts on most ground and having won this last year, has every chance of a repeat.

Form: 46P29-6

Baily Moon^p,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul Townend| T: M F Morris| OR: 129| D

9/1

In good form but the handicapper has taken evasive action after his latest Limerick win, hiking him up 13lb for it and that, plus the likely different ground conditions here, will make life harder. Not discounted, but does need to improve again.

Form: PF-2141

Hash Brown^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hourigan| OR: 129

14/1

Far from disgraced on any of his completed starts this year although the handicapper is slow to relent and he might still be a couple of pounds too high in the handicap. Will give it a good go under conditions that should be fine, but may have to settle for the places again.

Form: 1P54-4B

Net D'Ecosse^b¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 126

14/1

Form a little in and out but it's decent when he completes, however yet to convince that this trip suits as well as shorter. Bit to prove here and others are preferred.

Form: 67-2P2F

Ronava⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: A E Lynch| T: R A Cotter| OR: 125| C

20/1

Won a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe in May but that was over much shorter (and was on a very good mark compared to chase mark) so despite not being fully exposed over fences yet, has a bit to prove here.

Form: 074-515

Riviera Sun^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: J S McGarvey| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 122| C

10/1

Has refound some form of late, winning here at Kilbeggan and then running to a similar level at Downpatrick in June. This trip something of an unknown however, especially in such good company (shapes as if he may stay) and on that, others preferred.

Form: 12F5-13

Marchese Marconi^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Burke| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 121

25/1

Capable of good form when on the top of his game, as he showed when second in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last year, but in no great form at present and a question to answer at this trip as well.

Form: 2/364-60

Rock On Fruity¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: M A Enright| T: C Byrnes| OR: 121| C

6/1

Game winner at Limerick on his latest start, a run that emphasized his willingness at present but the handicapper has reacted with a 6lb rise to make life harder. However, stays this far and won't mind a bit of rain, so can't be discounted.

Form: 076-331

Phil's Magic^p,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 120| BF

7/2

Keeps hitting the frame with regularity this season and continued that trend with a close third to Rock On Fruity at Limerick last time. Up another couple of pounds and was finding it hard to win from lower marks before that, so needs another step forward here.

Form: 644-443

Supreme Vinnie^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss D O'Shea| OR: 118| C

15/2

Unexposed as a chaser, having just had the two starts and has finished in the frame on both occasions. Fairly handicapped and looks like he may stay but this a tough race to be making your handicap debut in.

Form: 0100-33

Mr Boss Man^h¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: Robbie Colgan| T: N Slevin| OR: 117| CD

14/1

C&D winner in lesser company here in JUne, but couldn't reproduce that effort at Bellewstown next time, although conditions there very different. Infrequent winner all in all though, so despite conditions more suitable here, is passed over on this occasion.

Form: 45F-F17

Definite Soldier^p1,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: J A Kinsella| OR: 116

7/1

Stuck to the task well to split Rock On Fruity and Phil's Magic at Limerick and closely handicapped again with that pair, but yet to win at this trip and another 3lb rise doesn't make life any easier. Rain no issue but on balance, others preferred.

Form: 99-42U2

Non-Runners

Black Zambezi²⁵

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: Peter Fahey J: R Loughran

Stonehall Jack¹²

Weight: 9-11| Age: 8

T: D E Fitzgerald J: Reserve 1

Plain Talking²⁸

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: G P Cromwell J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Phil's Magic (7/2), Black Zambezi (4/1), Rock On Fruity (6/1), Definite Soldier (7/1), Supreme Vinnie (15/2), Tulsa Jack (8/1), Baily Moon (9/1), Riviera Sun (10/1), Plain Talking (12/1), Mr Boss Man (14/1), Net D'Ecosse (14/1), Hash Brown (14/1), Marinero (16/1), Ronava (20/1), Marchese Marconi (25/1), Stonehall Jack (25/1)

This is wide open, and plenty come here holding some sort of chance. MARINERO has his share of weight but has the class to carry it, and looks to have been laid out for this. As long as the ground doesn't get too deep, he can go close. Tulsa Jack won this last year and is another that looks to have been brought to the boil at the right time; he can make a bold effort to retain his title. Phil's Magic and Hash Brown look the best of the rest.