14:45 Navan

Saturday 20 January 2018

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

Race Displays Event Signage Beginners Chase

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 6m 7.0s

A Plein Temps^t⁴²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: J McAuley| OR: 113| BF

25/1

Wasn't without ability over hurdles for Harry Fry but not seen on a racecourse for well over a year and this trip short of his best anyway. Best watched.

Form: 52513/0-

Bonbon Au Miel^t1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins

9/4

Winner of a minor event over hurdles at Cork last year but disappointed when made favourite for a valuable Punchestown handicap next time, and pulled up no trees on chase debut recently. Powerful connections but needs to improve now.

Form: 31/21P-4

Cadmium⁴¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

6/1

Another for whom connections are quick to get him over fences, unsurprisingly given chasing pedigree. Winner at Limerick over hurdles on only start in 2016 but not seen since. Market best guide but others make more appeal at this stage.

Form: 94/1-

Fit To Be Tied⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Dempsey| T: N Madden

12/1

Hardly the most auspicious start to chasing career, falling at the first on debut and then unseating at the second earlier in the week at Fairyhouse. Best watched until putting a clear round in.

Form: 6421-FU

Lacken Bridge⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: C Bowe

25/1

Three-time winner in point-to-points but only moderate form, and well beaten on first start under Rules at Thurles last October. Others readily make more appeal.

Form: 11F21-0

Phil The Flyer^t²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hackett| C| D

16/1

Useful handicap hurdler at his best but better form has all come on good ground, and late in the day to be trying fences as well. Makes only minimal appeal.

Form: 1110/90

Seanathair^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: I Madden

66/1

Only low-grade and going nowhere at present, pulled up at Punchestown on latest start and no realistic chance here.

Form: 500P0-P

Timiyan^t¹²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott

12/1

Looked to be going places when taking back-to-back handicap hurdles last summer, but progress stalled a bit after that. Chase debut here, trip and ground both ask new questions of him and may need this after a break too.

Form: 9-11040

Turcagua³⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| C| D

5/4

Maiden hurdle winner at Punchestown back in 2016 (beating Festival winner Champagne Classic in the process) and excellent second to Death Duty in Naas G1 subsequently. Went downhill after that but this is easier, and chances on chase debut.

Form: 4312PP-

Florianopolis³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin

40/1

Twice a point-to-point winner but beaten out of sight under Rules so far and will be more at home once handicapped. Others hold much stronger claims.

Form: 4116-96

Non-Runners

Chateau Conti²³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Rachael Blackmore

Forecasts

Turcagua (5/4), Bonbon Au Miel (9/4), Cadmium (6/1), Chateau Conti (7/1), Fit To Be Tied (12/1), Timiyan (12/1), Phil The Flyer (16/1), Lacken Bridge (25/1), A Plein Temps (25/1), Florianopolis (40/1), Seanathair (66/1)

A Hard race to call, with many of these having their chasing debuts, and ability to jump fluently is going to have a big say in who wins this. TURCAGUA makes plenty of appeal on paper as one that may do better over fences, and he brings some good hurdles form in to this. Stablemate Chateau Conti is another bred to do well over fences and getting the tongue tie for the first time here, may be the main danger. Willie Mullins might have the first three home, with Cadmium holding a squeak as well.