13:05 Punchestown

Sunday 31 December 2017

All12:3513:0513:4014:1014:4015:1515:45

Goffs Punchestown Invitational Sale Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:09 | Winning time: 4m 29.8s

Show And Go⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 116| BF| CD

7/1

Not quite at his best this year, but much better two starts ago when beaten less than a length in a handicap over slightly further than this. Just 2lb higher now but wasn't quite so good last time out.

Form: 0-60335

Thirsty Work⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 116| D

4/1

Still held every chance when falling two out at Leopardstown last time on handicap chase debut. On the same mark here and may well go close if not showing an ill-effects from that fall just five days later.

Form: 0-P975F

Robin Des Mana^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 115| BF| D

7/1

Winner at Clonmel two starts ago (in a Beginners Chase), but not quite so good on handicap debut at Navan latest. Has been dropped 1lb but still needs to show more here.

Form: 4-34215

Line View^p¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: J Dullea| OR: 113| D

33/1

Capable performer over fences on his day but being 6lb above his highest winning mark means he may struggle here. It's also a mild concern all three of his chase wins have come at Tramore (0/10 elsewhere).

Form: 3181P6

Neddyvaughan^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Loughran| T: C Roche| OR: 104| D

20/1

Not at his best over hurdles lately and may find this handicap mark a little steep back over fences. Also wouldn't want too much rain as he has little form on heavy ground.

Form: 365753

Hard Bought^p³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J J Walsh| OR: 98| D

10/1

Winner off 3lb lower than this at Gowran in October, will handle the ground but is more exposed than most of these. Others hold more convincing claims.

Form: 074153

Surrogate Lad³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A J Martin| OR: 92

7/4

Off the mark over fences in handicap company last time out and has been raised 14lb by the handicapper for that easy victory. Slight drop in trip here is a minor concern but he's lightly raced and may well progress again.

Form: 706-1

Mount Brandon^b⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 88

11/2

22 race maiden under rules (both hurdles and fences). Returns to chasing having run well over the smaller obstacles last time out and holds claims off his 5lb higher mark in this sphere.

Form: 2667-P2

Shrewdoperator^p1,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 88

33/1

Winner at Cork two starts ago but this is tougher, especially having been raised 8lb by the handicapper (is 3lb out of the handicap) and running poorly at Thurles last time out.

Form: 9-06817

Non-Runners

Pakman¹⁵

Weight: 10-10| Age: 9

T: A Murray J: A E Lynch

The Dack's Man⁵⁶

Weight: 9-10| Age: 9

T: Kevin McDonagh J: A W Short

Forecasts

Surrogate Lad (7/4), Thirsty Work (4/1), Mount Brandon (11/2), Robin Des Mana (7/1), Show And Go (7/1), Hard Bought (10/1), Neddyvaughan (20/1), Pakman (25/1), Shrewdoperator (33/1), Line View (33/1), The Dack's Man (50/1)

Surrogate Lad holds obvious claims having won well at Thurles last time with the promise of further improvement to come, but he has been put up 14lb and therefore preference is for THIRSTY WORK. Still holding every chance in a better race than this at Leopardstown on Boxing Day when coming to grief two out, he remains on the same mark and as long as he has recovered from that fall has an excellent chance to make amends. Mount Brandon looks favourably treated over fences and could be third best.