15:10 Punchestown

Saturday 28 April 2018

All14:3515:1015:5016:2517:0017:3518:1018:40

Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase (0-150) (Grade B)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 32.10s

Fine Rightly^h²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: A E Lynch| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 140

16/1

Will find this easier than a couple of the contests he's been contested recently, having tackled a couple of Grade 2's, but yet to conclusively prove that 3m is what he wants. On that, others preferred.

Form: 332054

Some Neck¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

7/2

Bit disappointing when well beaten in a Grade 3 novice chase at Limerick last time, but had looked useful when slamming a good field at Gowran the time before. Ground should be fine and if getting the trip, has chances.

Form: 4215-14

Colms Dream^h,t⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 139| C

12/1

Not seen much in recent times but shaped nicely on reappearance run at Leopardstown in February (and this step back up in trip will help. Looks one laid out for this and demands respect.

Form: 11/20-07

Drumacoo²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 137| C

8/1

Useful chaser, now back with his original yard after short spell with Ben Pauling, but form for them a bit patchy, to say the least. Two moderate efforts over hurdles lately leave him with plenty to find here, but conditions fine and may do better.

Form: 4/U-524P

Sutton Manor^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

8/1

Looked to have a bright future ahead of him as a novice but it's all gone a bit wrong this year, although has faced a couple of tough tasks and will find this easier. Probably on a fair mark and top yard have had a good week, so not ruled out.

Form: 2106FP

Westerner Point²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: E O'Grady| OR: 136

16/1

Well beaten in the Irish National last time, as a few in this contest were, bit below par previously at Thurles but trip probably too short and this looks more suitable. Only 2lb higher than last win and chances if bouncing back.

Form: 28713P

Heron Heights^p,t⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 135

16/1

Some good form if you go back far enough but recent evidence suggests he's rather on the downgrade, and the ground will be plenty slow enough for him too. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: P3-0B00

Kylecrue^b⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 131

28/1

Veteran that wins in his turn, and it was a better effort at Leopardstown last time, but all wins have come at shorter and he looks an unlikely stayer. Others preferred.

Form: 95UP55

High Nellie¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C A Landers⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe| OR: 130

8/1

In cracking form, two wins last two starts with some bold front running displays. Clearly on the upgrade, but this is tougher and she goes up in trip as well. Hard to rule out in such good nick, but a bit more to do.

Form: 443511

Wicked Willy²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129

8/1

English raider, nothing wrong with trip or ground and yard back in from at Perth this week, but this one can make mistakes which often holds him back. Track should suit (possibly better right handed) and chances with a clear round.

Form: 1P414F

Rogue Angel^b,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: D J McInerney⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 125| C

16/1

Has fallen to a very good mark but like many from his yard, is struggling to find any form this season. Another change of headgear here but it all looks a bit much for him at present, and hard to make a solid case for.

Form: 6PP5PP

Mr Boss Man⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: N Slevin| OR: 119| C| D

20/1

Much better effort when third at Down Royal on latest start, his bets run for a while, and has won here in the past. Has no secrets from the handicapper but has no weight and with conditions ideal, could go okay. One for e/w players.

Form: 0F4853

Lasoscar¹²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 9-11| J: M A Enright| T: L P Cusack| OR: 113

7/1

Yet to win in six chase starts but unlucky to bump into a well-treated one at Down Royal last November. Got a 6lb rise for that, which may find him out here, but not completely discounted if fit after a break.

Form: 218023

Artic Pearl^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Moore| T: M Brassil| OR: 112| C

12/1

Has a decent enough record at the track (a win and a second, both over hurdles) to be given a second look but this trip looks far enough and his chase form leaves him with a bit to find.

Form: 2231U5

Non-Runners

Major Destination²⁴²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: N Meade J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Some Neck (7/2), Major Destination (6/1), Lasoscar (7/1), High Nellie (8/1), Drumacoo (8/1), Wicked Willy (8/1), Sutton Manor (8/1), Colms Dream (12/1), Artic Pearl (12/1), Heron Heights (16/1), Rogue Angel (16/1), Fine Rightly (16/1), Westerner Point (16/1), Mr Boss Man (20/1), Kylecrue (28/1)

A wide open handicap. With the promise of more to come over fences, a chance is taken on the fitness of MAJOR DESTINATION, who hasn't been seen out for some time but won his final start with a bit in hand and could be progressive this time around. Colms Dream looks like he may have this as one of his targets this year and shouldn't be discounted despite some modest looking form figures. Mr Boss Man, Lasoscar and High Nellie are just three others to consider in a tricky contest for punters to solve.