15:05 Cork

Saturday 6 January 2018

All12:2012:5013:2513:5514:3015:0515:40

McCarthy Insurance Group Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 5m 43.9s

Smokey Joe Joe^t⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 122| CD

9/1

Experienced campaigner who looked sure to return to winning ways when leading and falling two fences from home at Limerick last time. Has been raised 2lb, but is of obvious interest if in the same mood.

Form: 5P-7P0F

Emcon²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Austin| OR: 119| CD

8/1

Better record over hurdles than fences, but has not been disgraced on her last two starts and has slipped to a feasible mark. Each-way claims.

Form: 0-30745

Routes Choice²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 119

13/2

Had Emcon behind when second at Thurles last time. Had run well before falling late on in her previous start and shapes as if she is ready to return to winning ways.

Form: 5-14PF2

Tinos Tank³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: James J Doyle| T: P M J Doyle| OR: 119| D

13/2

Several good efforts in beginners' chases and now tries his hand in handicap company. One of the more interesting contenders, especially if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 3P-8424

Consharon Boy^t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Splaine| T: T O'Brien| OR: 113| D

4/1

Point-to-point, bumper and hurdles winner who has showed definite signs of ability in two novice chases at this track and at Fairyhouse. Makes his handicap debut and is worth keeping an eye on.

Form: 2337-74

Inch Rise²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: W J Burke| OR: 109| C

4/1

Winning hurdler who has shown little in three runs over fences. Well in on hurdles ratings, but is best watched on this handicap debut over the bigger obstacles.

Form: 284-035

Mill Quest²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: T O'Brien| OR: 107| C

6/1

By no means disgraced in four starts over fences, including in a 3m½f handicap at Thurles last time. Can do better off a 2lb lower mark and over a shorter trip.

Form: 00-7F39

Lettermacaward^p⁵²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: M Winters| OR: 106

33/1

Winner of one his four chases, but that was back in August, 2015. Not seen out for well over a year and has obviously had his problems.

Form: 211/000-

Captain Bizarro^b¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: K J Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: D H Kelly| OR: 102

9/1

Winning point-to-pointer who has shown ability over fences on a couple of occasions. Running respectably when brought down last time and is not totally out of it.

Form: 3P2P-PB

Forecasts

Inch Rise (4/1), Consharon Boy (4/1), Mill Quest (6/1), Routes Choice (13/2), Tinos Tank (13/2), Emcon (8/1), Smokey Joe Joe (9/1), Captain Bizarro (9/1), Lettermacaward (33/1)

Top-weight Smokey Joe Joe is an obvious starting point after his luckless fate last time, while Tinos Tank and Consharon Boy are well worth a check in the betting on their handicap debuts. However, ROUTES CHOICE has been knocking on the door on her last two starts and looks ready to get her head back in front.