12:50 Thurles

Saturday 22 December 2018

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40

Molony Cup Handicap Chase (0-109)

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 6m 14.50s

Gunfire Reef²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 106

7/4

Deservedly got off the mark for connections at the 11th time of asking over the larger obstacles, winning a 15-runner Punchestown handicap last month off an 8lb lower mark. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: F50231

Double Portrait^b,t1⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 104

20/1

One from seven over fences in September but has appeared to struggle in a couple of subsequent starts at Fairyhouse and, when pulled-up, at Down Royal last month. Plenty to prove here.

Form: 8P514P

Thekingofconnemara¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Cooper| T: Barry J Murphy| OR: 103

10/1

Yet to win over fences in eight starts, but ran best race to date last month when a staying on second over 2m7½f at Fairyhouse. Disappointed latest start at Punchestown earlier this month and others make more appeal.

Form: 8P6527

Moroval^p1⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 102

8/1

Has struggled in a couple of starts since returning to action following a 12-month absence. Worth a market check in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 47P-F75

Fr Humphrey^b³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Phillip Enright| T: W F Treacy| OR: 101| D

6/1

Lightly raced veteran landed the odds on return to action last month at Fairyhouse on stable debut. History unlikely to repeat itself in this contest.

Form: 568/P0-1

Bridies Boy²¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J J Walsh| OR: 95

20/1

Distance winning veteran who has failed to finish any of his last three starts including tow over the larger obstacles. Hard to fancy in a race this competitive.

Form: 879FP-U

Dawn Light Cave¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: L P Dempsey| T: D Cullen| OR: 94

16/1

Seemingly flattered by a fourth of 10 at Roscommon in May suffering three subsequent heavy defeat following the run. Well held over hurdles recently and makes little appeal in this contest.

Form: 4078P0

Tj Goodtymes²²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: T Townend| OR: 93

25/1

Very lightly raced five times maiden, without a win in four starts over fences. Tough ask in this line-up.

Form: 2P633-8

Hawk Eye Down^p,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: M A Cahill| OR: 91| C

25/1

C&D winner last term but not really fired in a number of starts this season for this yard. Hard to be confident and easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 15P-009

Loch Luatha^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: L Young| OR: 90

12/1

Point-to-point winner but still a maiden after 29 starts under Rules including five defeats over fences. Career best latest at Tramore earlier this month and not east to discount.

Form: 837U34

Allied Victory^t⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 89| C

16/1

Course winner but losing run now goes back to 2014. Refused to race on seasonal return earlier this month and has a bit to prove at present.

Form: P/5926-R

Well Joey^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Mrs P Dobbs| OR: 86

8/1

23 race maiden finished a well held fifth over similar trips on his most recent appearances here last month. Place claims but looks opposable in current form.

Form: 756U55

Fergiethelegend^v1⁶⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 9-13| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Carr| OR: 82| D

20/1

Gallant veteran, won over this trip but needs to put a couple of dismal efforts behind him. Needs to bounce back in a big way to play a role here.

Form: 124077

Glacial Shadow^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: Thomas Coyle| OR: 79

33/1

Has disappointed connections in a number of dispiriting displays in handicap chases since December before flickers of promise at Downpatrick last month. Market should be informative on handicap debut.

Form: FUP-042

Non-Runners

Cowboy Des Long⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: J J Mangan J: A McCurtin

Forecasts

Gunfire Reef (7/4), Fr Humphrey (6/1), Cowboy Des Long (6/1), Well Joey (8/1), Moroval (8/1), Thekingofconnemara (10/1), Loch Luatha (12/1), Dawn Light Cave (16/1), Allied Victory (16/1), Fergiethelegend (20/1), Double Portrait (20/1), Bridies Boy (20/1), Tj Goodtymes (25/1), Hawk Eye Down (25/1), Glacial Shadow (33/1)

GUNFIRE REEF got of the mark for connections at the 11th time of asking over the larger obstacles, winning a 15-runner Punchestown handicap last month off an 8lb lower mark and can confound his new mark in a weaker event here. Cowboy Des Long can emerge as the biggest danger following a fine run at Tramore earlier this month, while Fr Humphrey and Loch Luatha are capable of hitting the frame.