14:55 Leopardstown

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:1512:4513:1513:5014:2014:5515:30

'Bet Through The Racing Post App' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 14.20s

Pairofbrowneyes^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: R Deegan⁽⁷⁾| T: Barry J Murphy| OR: 138| D

25/1

Unlucky not to have won for two years having gone very close including in better races than this, but has had enough chances for now especially off this weight.

Form: 32206-8

Calino D'Airy³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 137

10/1

Third of four in a Grade 2 last time out and was unbeaten over fences prior to that. High enough in the weights for handicap debut but still can't be ruled out.

Form: 16F-113

Ask Nile⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: S Neville| OR: 134| D

25/1

Has just a Beginners Chase to his name so far but remains lightly-raced over fences and this handicap debut is easier than the grade 3 he was (a well-beaten) second in last time out.

Form: 5-13328

Dysios^t⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: D Cullen| OR: 129| CD

12/1

Won this two years ago and went close in last year's renewal. Hasn't been massively impressive since but came into last year's race with a similar profile.

Form: 287-310

Bel Ami De Sivola²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 126

8/1

Remains a maiden over fences but has finished behind some very promising types and represents top connections. Could be capable of hitting the frame.

Form: 8-23534

Lake Takapuna³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: S A Shortall⁽³⁾| T: J H Culloty| OR: 126| CD

12/1

Last year's winner but just three starts since and was pulled-up at Cheltenham in the BetVictor Gold Cup. This is easier but revival needed.

Form: 4218-9P

Landofhopeandglory^p,t⁹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 133

11/2

Slightly disappointing as a juvenile hurdler last season but has progressed into a nice novice chaser this year, including when taking Grade 3 honours at Roscommon last time. Obvious claims on handicap chase debut.

Form: 52-41F1

Elusive Ivy²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: A E Lynch| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 125| CD

20/1

C&D winner earlier in the year but that was off 5lb lower and form since hasn't been great. Needs further help from the handicapper.

Form: 133-657

Minella Till Dawn¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 125

16/1

Didn't realise his potential over hurdles and has been similarly frustrating over fences so far. This seems an unlikely first win for him.

Form: 3FP-855

Blast Of Koeman^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 123

11/2

Off the mark over fences at Fairyhouse last time out in impressive style and makes his handicap debut in this sphere now. Should be capable of further progression and opening mark seems fair.

Form: 012-541

Eiri Na Casca^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: I J McCarthy| T: D Hogan| OR: 122| BF

20/1

Definitely better over fences than hurdles but will surely start to find things tricky off this mark having been raised 10lb from his last win.

Form: 214918

Presenting Mahler¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 122| D

33/1

This seems to be her trip but her form has dropped off recently (including over hurdles), and she is still 4lb higher than her last win.

Form: 156930

Caolaneoin^t²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Nolan| OR: 121| C

33/1

Well-beaten in four starts since Punchestown handicap victory back in May, back to the same mark now but this looks tougher.

Form: 2-1800P

Bobbie's Diamond^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: A J Martin| OR: 117

11/1

Limited to three starts since April 2016 (his first three over fences), but yet to convince in chases including on handicap debut last time.

Form: 421/F58

Just Get Cracking¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: R Loughran| T: J Dullea| OR: 116

20/1

Over two years since sole win over fences, and though he has run well in handicaps recently others represent less exposed options.

Form: 30-1032

Thirsty Work¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: M A Enright| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 116| C

7/1

Some form as a novice hurdler but chase form less encouraging so far and tough to build a case for on handicap debut.

Form: P0-P975

Tisamystery^p⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 115| D

16/1

Handicap chase winner at Killarney two starts ago but held off a lower mark than this since and this is a much tougher assignment.

Form: 4-U9713

The Mooch^b³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Katie Walsh| T: P Nolan| OR: 111| CD

8/1

Would have a chance here on his best form but has drawn a blank so far this year. Hinted at a return to form at Navan last time out but others still preferred.

Form: 64-7U72

Forecasts

Blast Of Koeman (11/2), Landofhopeandglory (11/2), Thirsty Work (7/1), Bel Ami De Sivola (8/1), The Mooch (8/1), Calino D'Airy (10/1), Bobbie's Diamond (11/1), Lake Takapuna (12/1), Dysios (12/1), Tisamystery (16/1), Minella Till Dawn (16/1), Elusive Ivy (20/1), Just Get Cracking (20/1), Eiri Na Casca (20/1), Ask Nile (25/1), Pairofbrowneyes (25/1), Presenting Mahler (33/1), Caolaneoin (33/1)

Having won this two years ago and then going close last year Dysios is certainly one for the shortlist but the suggestion is LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY. A Group 2 runner-up on the Flat, the son of Galileo never really fufilled his potential over hurdles but has looked much more promising over fences so far including when winning a Grade 3 at Roscommon last time. This is his handicap chase debut but he should be on a workable mark and may well outclass these. Blast Of Koeman looks on a fair mark after winning in novice company at Fairyhouse last time and is another to consider.