15:20 Limerick

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:3513:0513:4014:1014:4515:2015:55

Mr. Binman Handicap Chase (0-116)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 50.80s

Black Scorpion¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr R W Barron⁽⁷⁾| T: J F Gleeson| OR: 115

3/1

Winner of two of his seven chase starts including a fine 9L win last time out in a Clonmel handicap over 2m4½L. Game sort who will run his race.

Form: 625531

Positive Approach²⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 115| C

14/1

Looks to have been struggling of late including being pulled up last time out in March. Has a win and a place at this meeting in the last couple of years so worth a market check.

Form: 6/8060P-

Crosshue Boy^p1,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: S Doyle| OR: 109| D

9/1

Modest 121-rated hurdler who now reverts to the larger obstacles where he remains a six-race maiden. Hard to see him making any significant impact in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 983450

Flemenstorm^h,t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: E Cawley| OR: 108| D

10/1

Distance winner finished sixth of eight earlier this month beaten 16½L. Looks a tall order on form shown in handicap chases.

Form: 1R5-2F6

Capture The Drama⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D G Hogan| T: Aengus King| OR: 106| D

16/1

Well beaten in two disappointing hurdle starts sandwiched in between three torrid performances over the larger obstacles. Others preferred.

Form: P34000

Tongie¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Keith Donoghue| T: P A Fahy| OR: 105| C

10/3

Course winner that has also won over this trip but well beaten despite finishing positions in his last three chase starts. Trainer has a 45% win and place strike-rate at this meeting in the last four years.

Form: 40-0453

Captain Bizarro^b1¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: D H Kelly| OR: 102

16/1

Having first run over 260 days since being pulled-up at Limerick in April. Conditions a concern and others preferred in this contest in first time blinkers.

Form: 33P2P-P

Hand Of The King^b¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: P Neville| OR: 102

7/1

Placed in two beginner chases at Listowel in September over 2m1f and 2m6f before pulled-up last time out. Market likely to be best guide to chances.

Form: 7P-923P

Patsio^b²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Kevin Sexton| T: J R Barry| OR: 98| C

20/1

Well beaten 116L in his last two starts with a particular 83L defeat at Punchestown in October. Requires a chunk of improvement to play a role here.

Form: 655506

Instant Smile⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Walsh| OR: 96| C

8/1

Possibly needed the run on seasonal debut when finishing ninth of 16 beaten 77L - eased when beaten - in a Fairyhouse handicap chase on soft to heavy. Plenty to find.

Form: 1/0966-9

Aranhill Rascal^b,t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: C D Meehan⁽⁵⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 93| CD

14/1

C&D winner beating 13 rivals 5½L in a handicap chase on good ground off a 7lb lower mark. Usually struggles in these conditions.

Form: P1274P

Jonathan Wild^p⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: D E Splaine| T: E McNamara| OR: 88

33/1

18-race maiden over hurdles and still without a chase win in five starts with a series of laboured performances behind him. May find this tough.

Form: 0/0765P

Rightback Atya¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 88| D

12/1

Fell last time out when still in contention in a Clonmel handicap chase earlier in the month on heavy ground. Pulled up in this race last Christmas but could be a live outsider.

Form: 0P56-7F

Forecasts

Black Scorpion (3/1), Tongie (10/3), Hand Of The King (7/1), Instant Smile (8/1), Crosshue Boy (9/1), Flemenstorm (10/1), Rightback Atya (12/1), Aranhill Rascal (14/1), Positive Approach (14/1), Capture The Drama (16/1), Captain Bizarro (16/1), Patsio (20/1), Jonathan Wild (33/1)

Plenty of willing participants when it comes to the early lead here with Capture The Drama, Captain Bizarro and Hand Of The King possibly holding the advantage initially. The pace will be a huge benefit to the likes of Black Scorpion winner of two of his seven chase starts including a fine 9L win last time out and course winner that has won over this trip TONGIE whose yard has a 45% win and place strike-rate at this meeting in the last four years.