17:00 Punchestown
Saturday 28 April 2018
All14:3515:1015:5016:2517:0017:3518:1018:40
BoyleSports Handicap Chase (0-145)
- 5YO plus  |  3m 6f  |  Soft  |  19 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:00Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 8m 10.80s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Mugged on the line in the Irish National after being left in front at the last, another top-class effort in a big handicap. Nudged up another 3lb for that but regularly goes well in these races and ought to be on the premises once more.
Gold Cup winner back in 2014 and hasn't won a race since, although has come close a couple of times and it's not for a lack of trying. Early unseat in the Grand National means he comes here fresher than he might, but still a big ask.
Gone fro strength to strength for David Pipe this year, one of the yard's few success stories this term, and well worth a try at a marathon trip based on his defeat of Grand Vision at Newbury last time. Has had a break and comes here fresh.
His fourth in the Thyestes in January shows he still might have something to offer but more letters than numbers in his recent form and that's never a good thing. Tailed off when pulled up in the Grand National latest and others preferred.
Was getting there with every stride when third in the Irish National latest start, beaten under a length and id another that regularly runs well in big field handicaps. Has form here too and if tongue tie works again, looks a player.
Second in the Leinster National last month but then threw in a stinker when looking well treated to take a handicap hurdle as a warm up for this latest. That now needs forgiving, but conditions fine and no surprise if he bounces back.
Stuck to the task well to finish second in the Ulster National on his latest start, another solid effort, but the issue with him is his overall strike rate, which isn't great. Likely to run his race but the places may be the best he can hope for.
Fifth in the Thyestes his best effort this season but too many poor efforts surround that to make him a solid proposition here. Chance if on a going day, but that's very risky.
Only had the three chase starts, so unexposed and capable of better. Second to Monbeg Notorious in a beginners chase here in December looks a good effort in light of the winner's progression and he could be nicely treated here.
Winner on good ground at Killarney last summer but a dreadful series of efforts since then, not completing in four of his last five starts. On that, not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.
Comes here in good form after a win at Fairyhouse and then a solid third in a very competitive Aintree handicap last time. Blinkers seem to have turned him around, so the only question mark here is the trip. Chances if getting home.
Second in the Thyestes easily his best recent effort but seems to have gone right off the boil after that, and has been well beaten in three subsequent starts. Conditions fine and will stay, but clearly risky in current form.
Looked like making into a useful staying chaser but it's all gone wrong for him and despite having an easy lead at Exeter last time, gave up the ghost quickly once headed. Can't be backed with any confidence, although well treated if bouncing back.
Tries very hard and often finds plenty for pressure, stuck to the task to beat a few home at Aintree last time and may come on a bit for that run, his first since last October. This trip a complete unknown but won't fail for a lack of trying.
Has shot up the handicap after three wins from his last five starts, and took the Ulster National at Downpatrick in March with plenty in hand. However, a poor effort last time now needs forgiving, and it may be the handicapper has him.
Got to go back to 2016 to find the last time he was victorious, and is clearly no win machine. Has ground to make up with Poormans Hill on earlier form and although trip and ground fine, not hard to look elsewhere.
Has won over Hexham's stiff 4m, so won't fail for a lack of stamina here, but his wins to date have come in a lesser grade than today's and he needs to find more to come out on top.
Lightly raced for his age, multiple point-to-point winner and stays 4m fine. Back to form when second to Paper Lantern last time and looks on a nice weight and mark here. One of the more interesting ones despite being out of the handicap.
Only had the four chase starts, so every chance we haven't seen the best of him, but this is a much stiffer task than a few he's been taking on and needs plenty more improvement from out of the handicap today.
Forecasts
Daklondike (6/1), Fletchers Flyer (7/1), Augustin (7/1), Isleofhopendreams (8/1), Space Cadet (8/1), Nicole's Milan (10/1), Forever Gold (10/1), Kilcullen Flem (14/1), Paper Lantern (16/1), Woods Well (16/1), Wounded Warrior (20/1), Poormans Hill (20/1), Anseanachai Cliste (20/1), Tulsa Jack (20/1), Champagne Harmony (20/1), Lord Windermere (25/1), Thunder And Roses (25/1), Undressed (33/1), Heist (33/1)
FOREVER GOLD finished just behind Isleofhopendreams in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse but two more strides and he may well have got there. He deserves one of these big prizes and with ideal conditions today, this could be it. Isleofhopendreams is also pretty consistent in big field handicap chases and even with the big weight, shoudn't be far away. Augustin may lack the experience of a few but is open to improvement and isn't out of it. Anseanachai Cliste goes form out of the handicap but knows how to win and could get in the places.
- Forever Gold
- Isleofhopendreams
- Anseanachai Cliste
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: €29,500.002nd: €9,500.003rd: €4,500.004th: €2,000.005th: €1,000.006th: €499.00
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