16:05 Navan

Friday 23 March 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:15

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final (Grade B)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 50.20s

Woods Well⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 134

6/1

Won seasonal reappearance back in November but hasn't been able to build on that since, pulling on two of his four starts since. More needed off a similar handicap mark.

Form: 8-12P5P

Augustin³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132

4/1

Made to work for victory when odds-on for a beginners chase at Clonmel last time and makes his handicap debut here. Unexposed and could have more to offer.

Form: 012P-21

Fitzhenry^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Nolan| OR: 129| D

7/2

In fine form recently including two wins in his last three starts (both over fences). Ran well over hurdles in the interim and though he's up another 6lb he's a progressive type who should go close again.

Form: 532121

Without Limites^p1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 129

5/1

Still going fairly well when falling in the Irish Grand National Trial last time out off this mark, has further potential but a long way behind Glencairn View two starts back. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 4-5123F

Last Encounter²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 122

7/1

Beaten only a neck by Fitzhenry at Naas last time and steps back up in trip here. Stays this far but has extra weight to carry.

Form: 5F5852

Glencairn View¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: D J Mullins| T: A Mullins| OR: 121| D

9/2

Placed in the Leinster National last time out and is only 1lb higher in the weights for what is obviously an easier race. Conditions/trip fine and could still improve further.

Form: 464213

Alto Esqua¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: A E Lynch| T: C Byrnes| OR: 117

25/1

Up to a staying trip for the first time having generally been coming up short over shorter trips. Needs to prove he stays this far.

Form: 2-14458

Positive Approach¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: J J Walsh| OR: 114

16/1

Two-time winner over hurdles but yet to make any impression over fences and very disappointing on most recent starts.

Form: 0P-PF65

Oscar Lantern²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: C Byrnes| OR: 113

12/1

A winner in a weaker race at Punchestown two starts ago, but seemingly found out by his bigger weight at Naas last time and on the same mark now.

Form: FU3414

Georges Conn¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Ryan| OR: 107

33/1

Ran one fair race at Fairyhouse in January but other efforts this season have been poor, and was beaten 41L in an easier race last time.

Form: P09206

Forecasts

Fitzhenry (7/2), Augustin (4/1), Glencairn View (9/2), Without Limites (5/1), Woods Well (6/1), Last Encounter (7/1), Oscar Lantern (12/1), Positive Approach (16/1), Alto Esqua (25/1), Georges Conn (33/1)

A few progressive contenders who could improve to take this here, including FITZHENRY. A winner of two of his last three starts he is good over both sets of obstacles but is a better chaser, and won at Naas last time. He's up 6lb but may well appreciate this step back up in trip. Augustin is another recent winner who could be on the premises while Without Limits was in the process of running a good race before a fall last time and may do better with a clear round here in first-time cheekpieces.