13:00 Down Royal

Wednesday 26 December 2018

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

Toals Bookmakers Hunters Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 47.90s

Sizing Coal²⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr M J O'Hare⁽³⁾| T: J T R Dreaper| OR: 132

9/1

Consistent in this grade and likes a good test. One of the more likely types despite having to concede weight all round. Player.

Form: 331114-

Alpha Male³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr L J Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| BF

20/1

Winner of a decent race at Punchestown in April but dropped out tamely on his only subsequent start (was an expensive favourite to follow). Type to do well in these races and worth a betting check to redeem himself at least.

Form: 2/1231-5

Anseanachai Cliste^p¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 109

20/1

Posted a good effort on heavy ground at Fairyhouse in April but three starts since have been below par. Has time on his side as a seven-year-old but need to step things up a touch today.

Form: U28-757

Carrignagapple²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr C L Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: C Hamilton

16/1

Very consistent in point-to-points and has also taken well to this grade. Wouldn't want the ground too soft but sound claims back in a Hunters Chase; a poor effort in a point at Ballindenisk last time needs to be forgiven though.

Form: 213-417

Coastal Tiep³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B G Crawford⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 137

5/1

Paid his way for Paul Nicholls but doesn't look the most straightforward character. Possible that his stamina levels are better suited to this intermediate trip, so may be worth another chance. The betting can help.

Form: 12P2-11

Call Me Bubbles^p1,t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr N McParlan⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney| D

33/1

Useful on the Flat and also reached a fair level over hurdles for Willie Mullins. Things haven't really panned out for him over fences, though, and he comes into this with a bit to find with Costal Tiep from last time. (Races in first-time headgear)

Form: 1/2P5P-4

Kruzhlinin²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

3/1

Unbeaten in point-to-points since joining his current yard and has to merit respect in this grade too. Likely to be unfazed by the trip or conditions and, given his strong wins-to-runs ratio, he looks a solid option in this company.

Form: 26P/111

Milan Flyer⁴⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: Gary McGill| OR: 107| D

25/1

Useful form in point-to-points and weighted to make a good fist of things with Coastal Tiep this time. Still has a bit to find on balance though.

Form: 6511-32

Puff My Pistons^p1¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr C M Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: J H Black

50/1

Winner of a couple of point-to-points before now but was pulled up on his only previous start in a race of this nature. Another who faces a stiff test judging by the level of recent form.

Form: 3/5444-3

Stand Up And Fight⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: E Bolger

11/10

Rated 130 at his best over hurdles and comes into this on the back of an impressive win between the flags last month. Big chance if taking a further step forward. (Yard won this corresponding race last year.)

Form: 42/P4P-1

Samsara^t1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: G J McKeever

50/1

Won five times over fences in France but has been well held in moderate point-to-points since joining her current yard. Big step up required.

Form: 5-70P63

Non-Runners

Nevada Rose³²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 11

T: S Millar J: Mr N Gault

Forecasts

Stand Up And Fight (11/10), Kruzhlinin (3/1), Coastal Tiep (5/1), Sizing Coal (9/1), Carrignagapple (16/1), Anseanachai Cliste (20/1), Alpha Male (20/1), Milan Flyer (25/1), Call Me Bubbles (33/1), Samsara (50/1), Puff My Pistons (50/1), Nevada Rose (66/1)

A handful of these have sound claims in a race like this but STAND UP AND FIGHT has youth on his side and could very well have a lot more to offer in races of this nature. Kruzhlinin and Carrignagapple also appeal on the pick of their efforts, as does Sizing Coal despite a big burden at the weights. Coastal Tiep is another to bear in mind for a place in the frame at least.