17:00 Fairyhouse

Monday 2 April 2018

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:4518:15

BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade A)

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 9m 2.2s

Outlander^b1¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| C

33/1

Dual Grade 1 winner in open company over fences, latest at Down Royal in November in their Champion Chase (3m). Second in Irish Gold Cup, then pulled up in Cheltenham version. First-time blinkers, but stiff ask seemingly.

Form: 61332P

Bellshill³⁷^{(ex 8)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| C

12/1

Smart hurdler, progressed nicely in novice chasing campaign last season, winning two from four outings and ending season with 10L third behind Might Bite in the RSA at Cheltenham. Won the Grade 3 Bobbyjo here on reappearance. Up another 8lb, player.

Form: 111F3-1

Monbeg Notorious^v⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 152

8/1

Heavily backed to win the Thyestes at Gowran Park, result never in doubt, and followed up in 3m Navan Grade 2 since. Upwardly mobile chaser, gets the vote from Jack Kennedy and respected.

Form: 1-22111

Dounikos¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 151

20/1

Won his first two over fences, had Monbeg Notorious behind in first of those, and then good effort behind Monalee at Leopardstown in February. Well beaten in RSA at Cheltenham when pulled up. Bit more needed now over this longer trip.

Form: 49-114P

Lord Scoundrel^b,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

33/1

Galway Plate winner in 2016, hasn't got his head in front in eight runs since. Beaten when unseating rider in the Bobbyjo Chase here last time as Bellshill won. Interesting that Geraghty rides ahead of Squouateur in the McManus silks.

Form: 30-8PPU

Snow Falcon⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 149| C

16/1

Talented Flat handicapper who contested the 2017 Cesarewitch (14th of 34). Taken well to fences, mixing it in Grade 1 contests with Death Duty (Fairyhouse) and Monalee (Leopardstown). Stayed 3m over hurdles.

Form: 38-2315

Pairofbrowneyes²³^{(ex 9)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| C

13/2

First start for this brilliant trainer and duly won Leinster National at Gowran Park last month, trip just of 3m on testing ground. Advertised credentials strongly and likely to be popular for champion trainer despite the 9lb penalty.

Form: 206-801

Kemboy¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| C

14/1

Lightly-raced six-year-old, won a beginners' chase here (2m5½f, heavy) in January. No match for the likes of Shattered Love in Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival novice event last time but likely we haven't seen anything like the best of him yet.

Form: 257-214

Moulin A Vent⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 145| C

25/1

Some useful performances this season since going chasing, including impressive win here in December with Monbeg Notorious behind. That rival emphatically reversed the form at Navan in February and may hold upper hand once more.

Form: 031513

Mall Dini^b,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: P G Kelly| OR: 143| BF

8/1

Excellent effort in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month when finding only one to strong. Soft ground said to have gone against him there and trainer has already warned he'd prefer a better surface than seems likely today. Can't be ruled out.

Form: 35-5452

Folsom Blue^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: R M Power| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| D

11/1

Consistent handicapper, won a Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February over similar trip, so no concerns on that front. Up 9lb as a result to career-high mark but represents top connections and gets last year's winning rider on his back.

Form: 08-1441

Tell Us More^b¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

66/1

Has never run beyond 2m4f before, so this is a step into the unknown. Has been struggling in graded races this season at around 2m and doesn't appear especially well handicapped now despite those sub-par efforts. Others preferred.

Form: 0-95045

Isleofhopendreams⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

16/1

Ran a stormer on third chase start when second to Folsom Blue at Punchestown in February. Has gone up 5lb for that but still unexposed in this sphere and track record of going well in big-field handicap hurdles bodes well.

Form: 210-PP2

Jetstream Jack^b1,t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| C

33/1

Not the best jumper of a fence, falling twice in novice campaign including final start in valuable Punchestown handicap. Tailed off last month at Leopardstown on return to action (jumping again poor) and seems one of the less likely Elliott runners.

Form: 7F53F-0

The Paparrazi Kid^t1³⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: Brian Hayes| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

50/1

Won a veterans chase at Wexford on St Patrick's Day 2017 for Willie Mullins, poor in two subsequent starts and off 351 days ahead of his debut for new yard. Tongue tie on and would be some twist of fate should he land this on first run for yard.

Form: 44/U1P5-

Thunder And Roses^t,v²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽³⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 140| CD

25/1

Won this race in 2015 for Sandra Hughes, though has rarely looked like getting head in front in 21 runs since. Is however 6lb lower than when very credible fourth behind Our Duke in this 12 months ago. Behind plenty of these rivals this term.

Form: 4-P84PF

Call It Magic^b⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: A E Lynch| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 139

33/1

Couple of chase wins in minor events at Ballinrobe and Galway back in the autumn, well held here last time over 3m on testing ground behind Westerner Point (28L third) and needs a career-best from just a 1lb lower rating.

Form: P-51143

General Principle^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: J J Slevin| T: G Elliott| OR: 139

20/1

Ran well (fifth) in this race last year behind Our Duke, being closely matched with Thunder And Roses on that showing. Has not shown a lot if appetite for the game in his runs this season, comes back rated 1lb lower as a result and may go well.

Form: 5-47046

Arkwrisht^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 137

25/1

Just denied in the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, heavy) in September and didn't shape badly at Cork over this sort of trip in November but lost way since. Rated 6lb higher than that Listowel effort, needs to iron out jumping errors from Naas run.

Form: 12F407

Bless The Wings^p¹⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 9-12| J: B S Hughes| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| CD

25/1

Age and history are very much against the teenager. He is a former C&D winner and has been second in this the previous two years. He runs off the same mark as last year and won a Cross Country race at Cheltenham in December. Fell there last month.

Form: 26-PP1F

Sutton Manor^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

33/1

Faller early in the Leinster National won by Pairofbrowneyes last time. Remains unexposed over staying trips and has some fair performances against novices this season. More needed to land this prize.

Form: 32106F

Westerner Point³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: E O'Grady| OR: 137| C

33/1

Prolific chaser (6-12 so far), won here over 3m in February on heavy going and likely found 2m2f at Thurles a bit sharp since. Entitled to throw his hat in the ring and appears to be on a fair handicap mark.

Form: 828713

Kilcarry Bridge^t¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 9-11| J: D Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 136

50/1

Prominent racer who went well in Grade 3 over 3m1f here in October behind Road To Respect (½L second). Been running over shorter trips since, not beyond the realms of possibility that he can go well back up in trip from this rating.

Form: 6029F4

Oscar Knight⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: L P Dempsey| T: T Mullins| OR: 136

16/1

Unseated in this race a year ago, has run well over hurdles since but somewhat of a concern that he was tailed off in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas off this handicap mark. Requires a career-best to be in the finish.

Form: 3U-0102

Squouateur^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 135| BF| C

10/1

Often touted for a big-field staying handicap but yet to land one. In possession of plenty ability and ran a cracker in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (third, Mall Dini second) on first start after wind surgery. Off the same mark, isn't discounted.

Form: 2U-6303

Champagne Harmony^b1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: C D Meehan⁽⁵⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 135

66/1

Has failed to complete in three of his last four starts, including tame effort in the Bobbyjo here last time when pulled up behind Bellshill. Blinkers reached for today, seems easier to look elsewhere.

Form: 5-1P7UP

Killaro Boy^h²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Robbie Colgan| T: A Murray| OR: 135| C

33/1

Had his problems, with only four chase runs since debut in this sphere back in October 2016. Course winner however (2m4f, good) last April and may have needed recent pipe-opener when running fair race at Leopardstown. Could find a place.

Form: 3511-94

Woods Well¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 135| C

33/1

Scored here on chase bow in November over 2m5f on testing ground. Pulled up in National Trial at Punchestown in February having run well to a point and fair effort at Navan (3m, heavy) since. Could pull out more for would-be champion trainer.

Form: 12P5P5

Fine Theatre^b,t⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 135| C

33/1

Has plenty to find with the likes of Pairofbrowneyes and Monbeg Notorious on previous form this season. Ran well enough at Clonmel four days ago but races from higher mark now and plenty more on his plate.

Form: 347U42

Forever Gold^p,t1⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 135| CD

20/1

Form figures this winter of F2UP are not exactly inspiring, though the 2 was over this C&D behind subsequent RSA Chase scorer Presenting Percy with plenty of these flailing behind. Poor since, but just 1lb higher and in first-time tongue tie.

Form: 82-F2UP

Result Amended

Bellshill - Original Position 4th. Amended Position 5th.

Folsom Blue - Original Position 5th. Amended Position 4th.

Forecasts

Pairofbrowneyes (13/2), Monbeg Notorious (8/1), Mall Dini (8/1), Squouateur (10/1), Folsom Blue (11/1), Bellshill (12/1), Kemboy (14/1), Isleofhopendreams (16/1), Oscar Knight (16/1), Snow Falcon (16/1), General Principle (20/1), Forever Gold (20/1), Dounikos (20/1), Arkwrisht (25/1), Thunder And Roses (25/1), Moulin A Vent (25/1), Bless The Wings (25/1), Call It Magic (33/1), Killaro Boy (33/1), Fine Theatre (33/1), Westerner Point (33/1), Lord Scoundrel (33/1), Sutton Manor (33/1), Outlander (33/1), Woods Well (33/1), Jetstream Jack (33/1), The Paparrazi Kid (50/1), Kilcarry Bridge (50/1), Tell Us More (66/1), Champagne Harmony (66/1)

Pairofbrowneyes was much improved on his first start for Willie Mullins and remains unexposed in this sphere. He'll be popular. Thyestes winner Monbeg Notorious, perennial contender Squouateur and Woods Well may head the Elliott charge for a win in this race and a big boost in the trainers' race but his rival could strike with BELLSHILL. He's a Grade 1 performer over hurdles and has some smart form chasing, including when winning the Bobbyjo here. There could be plenty more in him, and he's the class act potentially. At bigger prices, C&D winner Forever Gold and Oscar Knight are notables.