15:20 Thurles

Saturday 24 March 2018

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

Thurles Vintners Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 5m 39.20s

Bilbo Bagins⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: A E Lynch| T: A Murray| OR: 115| D

8/1

Distance winner in a Punchestown handicap chase in January but struggled off a 8lb higher mark and a below-par round of jumping at Naas last month.

Form: 9-03218

On The Shannon²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 115| D

12/1

Distance winner in a Fairyhouse novice handicap chase last March of a 4lb lower mark. Well beaten since including last time out in a Naas handicap chase behind the impressive Dinnie's Vinnie.

Form: 1/368-07

Angus Milan^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 114

7/1

Nothing wrong with his win last time out in a Ayr handicap chase earlier this month when travelling well making smooth headway to lead two out before just holding on to beat Acdc a short-head.

Form: 0-80931

Black Zero^v¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 113| C| D

4/1

Course winner that has won over this trip. Well beaten in two handicap chase starts since the turn of the year before getting as far as the sixth at Gowran Park earlier this month when unseating.

Form: 0766U4

Artic Pearl^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: M Brassil| OR: 112| D

5/4

Solid and consistent towards the end of the year before a gallant win despite a volley of mistakes earlier this month in a Leopardstown beginners chase over 2m5½f. Market likely to reveal expectations.

Form: U12231

Concordin⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: R Tyner| OR: 112| D

12/1

Will have disappointed connections in a series of second-rate performances over the last five months. Hard to construct a case for him here until showing a hint of ability.

Form: 46-95U8

Attalco¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: I Madden| OR: 105

14/1

Has failed to finish four of his last six races and was well beaten 26L earlier this month in a Leopardstown handicap chase. Hard to fancy in this company.

Form: PUP-4P6

Asitsohappens³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: J M Moore| T: M McCabe| OR: 98| C

12/1

Not much to shout about recently including two dismal displays since the turn of the year including a 29L defeat at Fairyhouse last month. Tough ask and others preferred.

Form: 3-8P457

Forecasts

Artic Pearl (5/4), Black Zero (4/1), Angus Milan (7/1), Bilbo Bagins (8/1), Asitsohappens (12/1), On The Shannon (12/1), Concordin (12/1), Attalco (14/1)

Moses McCabe's tough veteran Asitsohappens likes to get on with things from the front and could possibly set the fractions with On The Shannon, Attalco and Angus Milan in behind. The Martin Brassil-trained ARTIC PEARL came off an even pace last time out to challenge into the straight before winning when all out in a Limerick beginners chase recently and is capable of a repeat on handicap debut.