12:00 Down Royal

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All12:0012:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Irish Stallions Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 12:01 | Winning time: 5m 15.80s

Castle Clyde¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: G Stewart

50/1

Posted only a moderate effort in a point-to-point earlier this month and has plenty to prove. That was the gelding's first start for a while but his previous hurdling efforts were also just ordinary. Others preferred.

Form: 6005-04

Frankly All Talk²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: R K Watson

25/1

Mainly regressive since finishing second in a point-to-point on his debut back in May; possible he'll be a better chaser than he's proved to be over hurdles so far. Plenty to prove.

Form: 20093

Getaway Kid¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

11/2

Getting the hang of things now after a clutch of moderate efforts over hurdles. The type to do better over fences, so worth a betting check at least.

Form: 36U5-23

Grotesque^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: G Elliott| BF

9/2

One of the better performers over hurdles and very possible he needed a couple of recent runs to top up his fitness. Did manage a win in a point-to-point early in his career so has the proven ability to jump. One for the shortlist.

Form: 60/33-57

Hugo 'n Taz^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: E O'Connell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 112

6/1

Generally been consistent, albeit at a modest level, over fences so far. 0-9 nine in this sphere though and limitations already exposed. No surprise if a few of the others are more progressive.

Form: 467346

Kayf Thou²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Geraghty| T: G Elliott

50/1

Never a factor on chase debut here last time out and needs to take a big step forward on that evidence. The betting can guide but the gelding looks the stable's second string on paper.

Form: 3/657-0

Officers Mess²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: I J McCarthy| T: C O'Dwyer

33/1

Winner over hurdles at Wexford in May but has gone the wrong way since. Well held in his latest start and the switch to fences needs to bring about a big improvement.

Form: 5-15780

Play The Part^p⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S G McDermott| T: W M Roper

25/1

Mixed form over hurdles and only seen once since breaking his maiden at Wexford in July (2m, good). May do better now he switches to fences and no forlorn hope of making the frame in this modest company. Place claims.

Form: 065319

Sir Ector^p²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Lambe| C

20/1

Highly experienced under both codes of racing but turns his hand to chasing late for only the third time in his long career. Hard to see him being on the upgrade at his age and is another who looks vulnerable to a more determined finisher.

Form: 730-22U

Snugsborough Hall^h¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 116| D

11/8

Starting to get the hang of things over fences and makes a good deal more appeal than most with previous chasing experience. The drop in trip can help. Worth considering.

Form: 03F-562

Biddy The Boss³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| BF

6/1

Hurdles form is comparable with the best of the bunch and possible the mare will improve for the switch to fences. Worth a betting check given that she gets weight from the boys.

Form: 215425

Wings Like Arion^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington

20/1

Landed a quick-fire brace over hurdles at the start of this year but lightly raced since. Failed to make an impact on her return at Punchestown earlier this month and needs to up her game considerably now she heads out over fences.

Form: 6116P-0

Forecasts

Snugsborough Hall (11/8), Grotesque (9/2), Getaway Kid (11/2), Biddy The Boss (6/1), Hugo 'n Taz (6/1), Sir Ector (20/1), Wings Like Arion (20/1), Frankly All Talk (25/1), Play The Part (25/1), Officers Mess (33/1), Kayf Thou (50/1), Castle Clyde (50/1)

A chance is taken that previous point-to-point winner, GROTESQUE can take the switch to fences in his stride now he's got the benefit of a couple of recent spins over hurdles behind him to sharpen him up. Snugsborough Hall, Play The Part and Getaway Kid make the most appeal from the rest and are suggested as the most reliable bunch to bear in mind as alternatives.