13:45 Galway

Monday 30 October 2017

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:35

W.B. Gavin & Co. Irish EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 10.80s

Champoleon^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade

33/1

Missed two years of racing but back with three decent efforts over hurdles including a win at Listowel over 3m since. Now tackles fences for first time and while others were smarter over hurdles his trainer is in fine form.

Form: 3PD/414

De Plotting Shed¹⁸⁶

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

2/1

High-class hurdler who won four times and was placed in four Grade twos. Hurdling career concluded with fourth to top draw Unowhatimeanharry at Punchestown. First time over fences but looks a leading contender based on hurdles form.

Form: 264224-

Free Expression³⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| BF

13/2

Failed to win in four chase races to date but met high class rivals such as No More Heroes and Outlander twice so set some stiff tasks. Grade two winning hurdler but has had several layoffs. Second in this race last year in most recent start.

Form: 13233/2-

Mall Dini^t²²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: P G Kelly| OR: 143| D

6/1

3L fifth carrying 11st 10in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham latest and that exceptional form at this level. Also won Pertemps Final at previous festival over hurdles. Six unsuccessful attempts thus far over fences but surely get off the mark very soon.

Form: 333235-

Presenting Percy^t¹⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: P G Kelly| C

11/4

Won four times over hurdles last season including Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Makes chasing debut here and of interest that Davy Russell chooses him over Mall Dini. Could easily prove Graded class over fences and a very interesting debutant.

Form: 154116-

Shower Cross^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh

100/1

Winning point-to-pointer was beaten 48L into sixth on chase debut at Gowran last month. In a hot beginners race he is likely to struggle.

Form: 36-316

Sutton Manor¹⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott

9/2

Won twice over hurdles but was 12½L behind Presenting Percy at Cheltenham despite receiving weight. One of three for top trainer but would have to be much improved over fences to turn tables with Presenting Percy.

Form: 421535-

Whats In It For Me¹⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner

100/1

Unsuccessful in seven hurdle starts and one of the lowest rated in that sphere. Looks an impossibility barring several high profile rivals having jumping problems.

Form: 00062-8

Forecasts

De Plotting Shed (2/1), Presenting Percy (11/4), Sutton Manor (9/2), Mall Dini (6/1), Free Expression (13/2), Champoleon (33/1), Shower Cross (100/1), Whats In It For Me (100/1)

In a race that could prove highly informative it is very interesting that Davy Russell chooses PRESENTING PERCY with the last two Pertemps Final winners both lining up and that gets him the nod. Gordon Elliott runs three here and De Plotting Shed looks the best of his trio having also been very high class over hurdles. The other Patrick Kelly runner Mall Dini is respected despite Russell choosing Presenting Percy.