12:30 Down Royal

Wednesday 26 December 2018

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

Adam & Ann Armstrong Memorial Handicap Chase (0-102)

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 5m 15.10s

Lisclogher Lad²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 102

7/1

A long standing maiden over fences and recent form hardly suggests the gelding is primed to strike. Others make more appeal; especially as the burden of top weight makes for a stiff test ahead.

Form: 6577-P2

Drummullagh Rocky^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S G McDermott| T: S McParlan| OR: 100| D

20/1

Does have ability but has yet to really show he's a natural over fences. Needs to step up considerably on his previous chase form.

Form: P/P0-576

Bective Cave^p,t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 95

11/1

Unexposed over fences and posted his best effort in this sphere last time out. Doesn't have a great completion rate from the limited evidence over the larger obstacles so comes with risk attached.

Form: 280053

Milanesque²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: P D Kennedy| T: P E Collins| OR: 95

16/1

Has won over fences but seems to have lost his way just now. Didn't show much on his debut for his new yard after a long break (fifth of eight at Clonmel earlier this month). Best watched.

Form: P572P-5

Quiet Account^p1⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 94

8/1

Multiple winner in point-to-points but has been unpredictable under rules. Did go well here on his penultimate start so feasible he can play a big part. Needs to be at his best though.

Form: 56003U

Shaluna⁴³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 94

25/1

Only completed one of her four previous starts over fences and is hard to recommend at present. Also well beaten the last time she raced at this course.

Form: F0U08F-

Ticket To Ride^h²³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 90| D

15/8

Drops in trip after a couple of moderate efforts over 3m. Been off since May and interesting on debut from his new (highly respected) yard. Found a weak race to start his career in Ireland.

Form: 04227-8

Witness Of Fashion^p¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: C D Maxwell| T: P Rooney| OR: 90| CD

10/1

Found life tough since his win at Leopardstown in March but starting to get some respite from the handicapper. Still 2lb above his highest winning mark and may need a bit more help before he can be recommended with confidence.

Form: 31U-468

Coolnagorna Giggs^p,t²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Sarah Kavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Fahy| OR: 88

12/1

Goes well over regulation fences and worth a betting check now he returns from a spell contesting point-to-points. Debuts for a new trainer, so the betting can guide as the veteran returns with a 7lb claimer in the plate.

Form: 4P3633

Canadian Steel^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 87

12/1

2-6 in point-to-points but lacks experience over regulation fences. (0-11 over hurdles). Others look more convincing on this occasion.

Form: P0P784

Allduckornodinner⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: G N Fox| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 86

6/1

Been a bit part player in all his starts over hurdles and fences so far and yet to convince as one to follow. Significant enough doubts to look elsewhere.

Form: 56/60-07

Bard Of Armagh^t1⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: E O'Connell⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 84

9/1

Dropped to a featherweight but has been struggling to hold his own in modest company and plenty to prove now he's back over fences. Others readily preferred.

Form: P-90500

Taboo^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: D Robinson⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 72

33/1

Generally goes well over fences and not much to find on these terms if he can recapture his best. Not stood much racing of late but still dangerous to underestimate in a poor race. Probably needed the run last time.

Form: 7P/P3P-P

Forecasts

Ticket To Ride (15/8), Allduckornodinner (6/1), Lisclogher Lad (7/1), Quiet Account (8/1), Bard Of Armagh (9/1), Witness Of Fashion (10/1), Bective Cave (11/1), Canadian Steel (12/1), Coolnagorna Giggs (12/1), Milanesque (16/1), Drummullagh Rocky (20/1), Shaluna (25/1), Taboo (33/1)

A tough one to call as doubts can be cast over every runner in the filed. Ticket To Ride is likely to be popular on his debut for Gordon Elliot and is respected accordingly. However, his form is nothing special and may be worth taking on this time around. Taboo has the ability to figure and shouldn't be underestimated despite being out of the handicap, while Coolnagorna Giggs and Bective Cave are others who can figure in a weak event like this. However, QUIET ACCOUNT has some decent winning form to his name in point-to-points and may be worth another throw of the dice here.