15:00 Gowran Park

Thursday 25 January 2018

All12:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 6m 54.80s

Champagne West^p1²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 159| CD

20/1

Last years winner at odds of 7/1 off a 5lb lower mark. Markedly out of form since and this looks a tough ask despite first-time cheekpieces applied.

Form: 1194-53

A Genie In Abottle⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 150

7/1

Two wins on soft to heavy conditions puts the seven-year-old in the mix here following two wins in October. The Beneficial gelding is better than his performance in the Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury last month.

Form: 253-119

Ucello Conti^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 148

7/1

Yard has six runners in this and the Martaline gelding is in good nick following finishing second of 28 in the Grade B Paddy Power chase at Leopardstown's Christmas festival. Second in this race last year.

Form: 4724U-2

Pleasant Company^h²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| D

8/1

Finished fourth of 18 in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark. Possibly needed the run in the Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury last month.

Form: P/1419-0

Sumos Novios²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: R M Power| T: W J Burke| OR: 145

8/1

Has remained in reasonable form since winning a Cork handicap chase just over a year ago despite a 16lb hike in the weights. Place claims for trainer who knows what it takes to win this race.

Form: 7/143-22

Thunder And Roses^t,v²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽³⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 142

20/1

Winner of the Irish Grand National in 2015 and finished a game seventh of 18 in this race last year. Sure to give a good account of himself again.

Form: 26U4-P8

Flaxen Flare^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

40/1

148-rated hurdler who has won one of his four chase starts but was firmly put in his place in the Ladbroke hurdle at Newbury last month beaten 65L.

Form: 3U-2320

Monbeg Notorious^v1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| D

7/2

Not out of the first two in his three career chases including a win last time out in a Punchestown beginners chase last month. Could go well if jumping fluently.

Form: 121-221

Isleofhopendreams²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136| BF

10/1

Beaten favourite last time oiut in a Leopardstown handicap hurdle when pulled-up two out last month. Last seen over the larger obstacles winning his only chase start at Cork in November 2016. Market likely to be best guide.

Form: F/1210-P

Call The Taxie^t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 135

9/1

Won a beginners' chase over 2m4f at Navan in September in good style but well held since and fell at the tenth in the Grade B Paddy Power chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Place claims if jumping efficiently.

Form: 31-135F

Woods Well²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: C D Meehan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

14/1

One six starters for the yard but only got as far as the 11th in the Grade B Paddy Power chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Needs to brush up on his jumping if playing a role here.

Form: 2P8-12P

Wounded Warrior^p⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 134

25/1

Sure to have disappointed connections in a series of gloomy performances since finishing sixth of 18 in this race last year. Very little to be positive about.

Form: PPP-P08

Fine Theatre^b²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Kevin Sexton| T: P Nolan| OR: 133| BF| C

16/1

Course winner who was a disappointing beaten favourite when expected to go well in the Grade B Tim Duggan chase at Limerick over Christmas. Tough ask and others preferred.

Form: 4/38-P34

Out Sam^p,t1²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 131

6/1

First start for new handler didn't go to plan when finishing 24L adrift of the winner in the Grade B Paddy Power chase at Leopardstown last month. Capable of going well with notable jockey booking.

Form: 34PP9-0

Space Cadet²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 131

16/1

Not disgraced when finishing ninth of 28 beaten 28L in the Grade B Paddy Power chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Dangerous placing on all four occasions on heavy ground.

Form: 0277-69

Forecasts

Monbeg Notorious (7/2), Out Sam (6/1), A Genie In Abottle (7/1), Ucello Conti (7/1), Sumos Novios (8/1), Pleasant Company (8/1), Call The Taxie (9/1), Isleofhopendreams (10/1), Woods Well (14/1), Space Cadet (16/1), Fine Theatre (16/1), Thunder And Roses (20/1), Champagne West (20/1), Wounded Warrior (25/1), Flaxen Flare (40/1)

It could well be left to Monbeg Notorious and Champagne West to take the field along in the early stages of the Thyestes with possibly Genie In A Bottle, Fine Theatre and Flaxen Flare chasing behind. Sumos Novios has remained in reasonable form since winning a Cork handicap chase just over a year ago despite a 16lb hike in the weights and the Willie Mullins-trained PLEASANT COMPANY who finished fourth of 18 in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark can battle it out here with the latter landing the spoils. Fine Theatre and the game Thunder And Roses can hit the frame.