14:10 Thurles

Saturday 24 March 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Devil's Bit Beginners Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 3.9s

Ballela Boy⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 122| D

11/2

Distance winner who failed to build on two promising narrow defeats when going down by 46L finishing a remote fourth of eight at Fairyhouse in January.

Form: U5U224

Cowboy Des Long^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: J J Mangan

25/1

Beaten a long way in his last two starts since the turn of the year including a 25L defeat over C&D at Punchestown in January. Tough ask and others preferred.

Form: 390473

Hanover Street³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J Halley| OR: 109

20/1

Beaten in a Clonmel beginners chase over 2m7f last month finishing 17L behind Augustin when third of six. Will need to improve on first run.

Form: 8-02473

Irish Mustard³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Colville

66/1

Finished 23L behind Hanover Street in a Clonmel beginners chase last month. Requires a chunk of improvement to play a role here.

Form: 007-205

Kaiser Black^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: P M J Doyle

11/2

No impression on leaders in moderate fourth of 16 finishing 24L behind Pylonthepressure in a Thurles beginners chase last month. Looks a tall order on that run.

Form: 36421-4

Rock On Westie^t⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S Barkley

66/1

Modest 88-rated hurdler and makes a quick reappearance for his chasing debut following a heavy defeat at Down Royal five days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 6-80558

Turcagua⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF

1/2

Beaten favourite last time out when falling in a Thurles beginners chase won by Pylonthepressure. Fell at the second fence that day and sure to go better here.

Form: 12PP-2F

Brave Light¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: M J McDonagh

100/1

Well beaten when never a factor in a Gowran Park beginners chase finishing fifth of seven earlier this month. Significant improvement needed here.

Form: P45

The Green Lady¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R Loughran| T: P A Fahy| D

10/1

Five race experienced chaser who is without a win in all starts. Beaten a total of 48L on her last two starts and others preferred in this company.

Form: BF8F43

Forecasts

Turcagua (1/2), Ballela Boy (11/2), Kaiser Black (11/2), The Green Lady (10/1), Hanover Street (20/1), Cowboy Des Long (25/1), Irish Mustard (66/1), Rock On Westie (66/1), Brave Light (100/1)

Hanover Street and The Green Lady could possibly be the early runners to contest the lead here with Rock On Westie chasing in behind in the opener. The pace on the ground could be a strong advantage for the Gordon Elliott-trained Ballela Boy who, under Davy Russell can give the potential improver TURCAGUA the most to think about as the pair battle for the honours.