15:40 Down Royal

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:10

Rainbow Communications Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 6m 21.0s

Bearly Legal^t³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 122| D

25/1

Four from 20 over the larger obstacles but has gently regressed in recent times as he reaches the veteran stage of his career.

Form: 32-P08F

Paper Lantern^t²³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 120| D

9/1

In cracking form in the early part of the year, rising 23lb in the handicap. The three wins have been over 2m5½f and 3m at Limerick in March. Progression likely but lay-off a concern.

Form: F21311-

Angus Milan^t²²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: N C Kelly| OR: 117| BF| C

12/1

Beaten favourite last time out in a Downpatrick handicap chase over a marathon 3m4½f in the Ulster National. Better than that run and now back on an attractive mark.

Form: 051320-

Some Drama^p,t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 116

10/1

Luckless Punchestown run last time out can be easily dismissed taking nothing away from a consistent and solid summer campaign without winning. One for each-way backers.

Form: 44231B

Routes Choice^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 114| D

10/1

Off the mark at the sixth attempt over fences at Sligo in September before struggling off a revised mark at Punchestown last month. Tough ask and other preferred.

Form: 7475-14

William Du Berlais¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D J McInerney⁽⁷⁾| T: E Bolger| OR: 113

6/1

Has been rock-solid over the last couple of months in an eye-catching summer jumping campaign. Progress possible and not dismissed off a 8lb higher mark.

Form: 423133

Anseanachai Cliste^p¹³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: R McNally| OR: 111| D

10/1

Has not come on for a handicap chase win at Downpatrick on good ground in the Ulster National suffering heavy defeats. Others hold stronger profiles on stable debut.

Form: 1111-65

Back Off Mate¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: A L T Moore| OR: 109

16/1

His last success over fences came in a 2m1f Ballinrobe handicap chase in August 2014, when rated 113 and has shown nothing in three seasonal starts. May find this a tough ask.

Form: 058/065

Lasoscar²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: L P Cusack| OR: 106

13/2

A consistent hurdling campaign over the summer has been blighted by disappointing runs over the larger obstacles. Could struggle in today's conditions.

Form: 602180

Poormans Hill²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 106| D

5/4

Has won three races over fences since joining current yard - hurdles win last time out - could take all the beating but is now 14lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 404111

Ardmillan²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: C D Maxwell| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 93| C| D

25/1

Course winner that has won on soft ground but may struggle with a record of 0/9 in this class.

Form: 6UF4P-0

Forecasts

Poormans Hill (5/4), William Du Berlais (6/1), Lasoscar (13/2), Paper Lantern (9/1), Anseanachai Cliste (10/1), Some Drama (10/1), Routes Choice (10/1), Angus Milan (12/1), Back Off Mate (16/1), Ardmillan (25/1), Bearly Legal (25/1)

Anseanachai Cliste, William Du Berlais and Some Drama could be left to take the field along in this competitive handicap. Paper Lantern was in cracking form in the early part of the year, rising 23lb in the handicap and can be expected to go well again but has the improving POORMANS HILL to get past here.