12:25 Punchestown

Saturday 13 January 2018

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase (0-109)

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 5m 34.7s

Bilbo Bagins²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy| T: A Murray| OR: 108| D

9/2

Put a couple of disappointing efforts behind when placed over fences the last twice including on handicap debut last time out. One to note off a 3lb higher mark today.

Form: 819-032

Tongie¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: C M Leonard⁽⁴⁾| T: P A Fahy| OR: 105

8/1

Well held third in a beginners contest at Tramore (2m5f, heavy) on his penultimate and towards the rear when unseating in a handicap at Limerick subsequently. Worth a check in the market today.

Form: 0-0453U

Hand Of The King^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C A Landers⁽⁴⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 102

7/1

Placed twice over fences on heavy ground at Listowel in September but failed to complete in two subsequent starts including when still leading prior to coming down three out on handicap debut last time.

Form: P-923PF

Hold Onto Your Hat^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B Browne⁽⁴⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 97

9/2

Disappointing since finishing runner-up in a bumper at Wexford (soft) on debut nearly two years ago. Probably best watched on today's handicap debut.

Form: 050-P86

Simple Steps²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Foley⁽⁴⁾| T: R Tyner| OR: 97

4/1

Broke her maiden at the 16th attempt under rules when victorious over an extended 3m at Thurles (heavy) last time out. Raised 7lb for that success and one for the shortlist dropping in trip.

Form: 530-361

Aranhill Rascal^b,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr J C Canavan⁽⁴⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 95| D

14/1

Returned to form when finishing runner-up over an extended 2m3f at Limerick (heavy) last time out. Raised 2lb for that effort and interesting if repeating that effort today.

Form: 1274P2

Time And Times²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: C D Timmons| T: D McNamara| OR: 88| D

10/1

Cork hurdle winner off this mark last March but disappointing over fences so far and failed to complete the last twice. Others make more appeal.

Form: 7-700UP

Highest Benefit^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: T Ryan⁽⁴⁾| T: W J Austin| OR: 87

10/1

17 race maiden and failed to build on a promising fourth on heavy ground over an extended 3m at Thurles when unseating at Tramore last time out. Probably best watched on this occasion.

Form: P0-864U

Shrewdoperator^p,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: D J McInerney⁽²⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 85

14/1

Victorious over an extended 2m at Cork (soft) in November but held twice since including at Punchestown in first time cheekpieces last time out.

Form: 068174

Glacial Shadow¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: S J Gray| T: D Broad| OR: 78

16/1

Placed in a point-to-point last March but failed to trouble the judge in five starts under rules and races from out of the handicap today.

Form: 28-96U9

Forecasts

Simple Steps (4/1), Bilbo Bagins (9/2), Hold Onto Your Hat (9/2), Hand Of The King (7/1), Tongie (8/1), Highest Benefit (10/1), Time And Times (10/1), Shrewdoperator (14/1), Aranhill Rascal (14/1), Glacial Shadow (16/1)

BILBO BAGGINS ran well to finish runner-up on his handicap debut last time out and he can go one better under top weight today. Adrian Murray's charge has form on the likely heavy ground and with the step up in trip likely to suit he can get the better of last time out winner Simple Steps who drops in trip today following her win in an 18 runner contest last time. Aranhill Rascal returned to form when runner-up last time out and he is taken to finish third today.