17:10 Downpatrick

Friday 13 October 2017

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

Frank Fitzsimons Memorial Beginners Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 58.60s

Ardera Cross⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B T O'Connell| T: E Doyle| BF

8/1

Fair handicap hurdler who has been in good form of late, winning and finishing second at Tramore. Tries fences for the first time and has claims if taking to chasing.

Form: 66-6212

Aretesone^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: T M Walsh

9/1

Winning hurdler whose latest of two runs over fences was much the better. Looked in need of this step up in trip that day and has the assistance of his top jockey once again.

Form: 24359-4

Canny Tom^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott

8/1

Only one win 26 starts over hurdles, but first attempt at chasing at Tramore saw him finish a promising third of nine. May do even better and is one to consider.

Form: 921023

Charlie's Charm⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: S P Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell

50/1

After failing to hit the frame in two bumpers and three hurdles, he starts out over fences. Has plenty to prove for the time being.

Form: 94-450

Dr Moloney^p¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 100

33/1

Approaching the veteran stage and has run in 20 chases without getting his head in front. Not disgraced when second at Hexham a couple of starts ago, but it will be surprising if there are not one or two too good.

Form: 35FF24

Icelip^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D M O'Brien

33/1

Three-times winner over hurdles whose two previous runs over fences came way back in October, 2014. Has another crack at the bigger obstacles, but hard to enthuse about.

Form: 61-5579

Knockraha King^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: A Maguire| BF

2/1

Winning hurdler who hit the crossbar on his chasing debut at Tramore last week when he was beaten a short head with Canny Tom back in third. Should know more this time and goes on the short list.

Form: 12-D322

Maighnealta^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: G N Fox| T: D McDonogh| OR: 96| C

12/1

Dual hurdle winner who made his chasing debut over C&D last month and finished a respectable fifth of 13, running on at the finish. Likely to be wiser for the experience.

Form: 1-07565

Mr Champers²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Loughran| T: A Keatley

16/1

Won a 24-runner handicap hurdle at Cork in July, but was well held when stepped up in trip on his latest start. Makes his chasing debut and is worth a check in the betting.

Form: 50-8146

Wee Small Hours^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| D

12/1

Clicked at the 14th attempt over hurdles at Kilbeggan in August and ran well again when second of 22 on his latest start at Navan. Debut over fences and is another who warrants a market check.

Form: 530-162

Golden Flowerpower¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: C Bowe

6/1

Winner of one of her three hurdles, she returned from a break to finish a fair second of seven on her chasing debut at Sligo. Formerly a winning pointer, she appeals as one of the more likely sorts.

Form: 1015P-2

Scotch Beg^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: A Oliver| CD

12/1

Bumper winner who got the job done over hurdles at the fourth attempt last time, beating Canny Tom, and now makes the switch to fences. Bred to be a chaser and is respected.

Form: 513471

Solar Heat¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 102

20/1

Early promise over fences, but recent efforts have not been so encouraging. Would have claims if able to replicate her close third of 12 in a handicap over C&D in June.

Form: 553098

Swift²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: M A Enright| T: J W Nicholson

14/1

Winning hurdler who has had only one run over fences, finishing a short head second at Tramore after being sent off at 40-1. Jumped well that day so it will be interesting to see how she gets on after running over hurdles last time.

Form: 158720

Bard Of Armagh^p1⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin

66/1

Little encouragement in five starts over hurdles for respected stable. Goes chasing in first-time cheekpieces and needs to show dramatic improvement to figure.

Form: 00006

Forecasts

Knockraha King (2/1), Golden Flowerpower (6/1), Canny Tom (8/1), Ardera Cross (8/1), Aretesone (9/1), Scotch Beg (12/1), Maighnealta (12/1), Wee Small Hours (12/1), Swift (14/1), Mr Champers (16/1), Solar Heat (20/1), Dr Moloney (33/1), Icelip (33/1), Charlie's Charm (50/1), Bard Of Armagh (66/1)

There promises to be plenty of incident in a 15-runner beginners' chase and the ones to focus on are Aretesone, Swift, Solar Heat, Scotch Beg, Golden Flowerpower, Canny Tom, Ardera Cross and KNOCKRAHA KING. The selection finished in front of Canny Tom when just touched off on his chasing debut and can go one better.