Clonmel Oil Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 1.30s

A Toi Phil^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 155| BF| D

8/1

Second of six in this contest 12-months ago finishing 5½L behind Alpha Des Obeaux. Out of form since winning the Grade 3 Kinloch Brae chase in January but not easily dismissed in this contest.

Form: 21423-6

Alpha Des Obeaux^p,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| CD

6/4

Successful in this contest 12-months ago when in the care of Mouse Morris. Ran well on stable debut when fifth of 16 in a Limerick handicap chase on good ground. Another bold bid looks likely.

Form: 4646F-5

Doctor Phoenix^p,t²⁰⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| D

16/1

One of three in the race for this handler. Unlikely to find the form of his Grade 3 chase at Naas in February and has a bit to prove in this contest. Others preferred.

Form: 0112F5-

Kemboy²⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| D

11/8

Finished off last term with a couple of wins over the larger obstacles including a Grade 3 success at Limerick in April. Looking to be the first winner of his age group in this race since War Of Attrition in 2005.

Form: 214F11-

Rashaan³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Kidd| OR: 142| BF| C| D

8/1

In good form since May finishing runner-up on three occasions and landing a Grade 3 novice chase at the Galway festival in August. Likable type but needs to step it up once again.

Form: 11-2212

Forecasts

Kemboy (11/8), Alpha Des Obeaux (6/4), A Toi Phil (8/1), Rashaan (8/1), Doctor Phoenix (16/1)

The first and second from the race 12-months ago, Alpha Des Obeaux and A Toi Phil may have to make way for the six-year-old KEMBOY who shaped like an improving novice chaser towards the end of last term when landing a Grade 3 contest at Limerick in April, putting Tombstone firmly in his place. The yard have won three of the last five renewals of this contest and look set to improve that record here.