13:00 Thurles

Sunday 17 December 2017

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4015:1015:45

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 30.30s

Emcon¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: R P Treacy⁽²⁾| T: W J Austin| OR: 121| D

7/1

Fair effort when finishing fourth over 2m4f at Fairyhouse (soft) last month. Races off a 2lb lower mark today and is an interesting runner in this contest.

Form: 90-3074

Georges Conn⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: P D Kennedy| T: J P Ryan| OR: 120

16/1

In good form in staying chases prior to pulling up on heavy ground at Punchestown last time out. Today's drop in trip isn't certain to suit.

Form: 533-34P

Fitzhenry¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D J McInerney⁽⁴⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 116| BF

11/8

Maiden after eight starts but put in his best effort so far when beaten a short-head over an extended 2m6f at Punchestown (soft-to-heavy) last time out. Form of that contest is working out well and he is a leading contender despite a 7lb rise.

Form: 560-532

Routes Choice¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B Browne⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 116

7/1

Winner on heavy ground over an extended 3m at Sligo in September and looked likely to place prior to falling at the last at Punchestown last time out. Held by Fitzhenry on that form however.

Form: 75-14PF

Toubaloo²⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: A Ring| T: A Lee| OR: 116

16/1

Sole success came in a beginners chase at Gowran Park (2m2f, soft-to-heavy) in February 2015. Fair efforts of late including in cheekpieces (absent today) over hurdles last time but likely to find at least one too good once more.

Form: 9PS544-

Flemenstorm^h,t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: C D Timmons| T: E Cawley| OR: 109| D

9/2

Too early to tell how he'd have fared when falling in a race in which Fitzhenry finished runner-up in last time out but had finished a good second prior to that and he is one to note today.

Form: 3/1R5-2F

Oscar Lantern⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr J Mulvihill⁽⁴⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 108| C

6/1

Failed to complete on three of his last four starts most recently when falling at Galway (heavy) in October. Well handicapped on his hurdles form and worth a check in the market on this occasion.

Form: 86P-F7F

Bitview Colin^b,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: C A Landers⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 105| D

14/1

Victorious on soft ground in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Hexham in October but failed to complete in two subsequent starts over fences including when pulled up last time out. Well handicapped on hurdles form.

Form: 3881FP

Forecasts

Fitzhenry (11/8), Flemenstorm (9/2), Oscar Lantern (6/1), Routes Choice (7/1), Emcon (7/1), Bitview Colin (14/1), Toubaloo (16/1), Georges Conn (16/1)

FITZHENRY had issues with his jumping prior to finishing a close second at Punchestown last time out and a repeat of that effort can see him take this competitive handicap chase. The selection is likely to have been well schooled since that outing and he is taken to get the better of Flemenstorm who can put a fall last time out behind him by claiming second today while Route's Choice can claim third today.