Eastcoast Seafood & Gouldings Hardware Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 3m 58.50s

Drumconnor Lad¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 131| D

10/1

Gowran Park winner over 2m4f in November, though since proved no match for De Name Escapes Me at Navan, before being pulled up when stepped up to 3m over Christmas. Others preferred.

Form: P3410P

Arvico Bleu³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 129

5/2

Has finished runner-up in his last three starts over similar trips since September. Change of luck looks on the cards for inform trainer/jockey combination.

Form: 0-64222

Quamino^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 129| D

9/1

Only average over hurdles but made nice impression on debut over fences at Fairyhouse and subsequent third at Punchestown. Only got as far as the third at Leopardstown on St Stephens day, but worth another chance here.

Form: 2-2613U

Dakota Moirette¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| D

8/1

Plenty to prove based on last season's efforts over fences was well held on return to action over Christmas before unseating at the last at Leopardstown. Vast improvement needed to figure.

Form: 0/337-8U

Punches Cross¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 117| CD

2/1

Improved on third start over fences when runner-up in six-runner beginners' chase at Thurles over 2m2f in November before getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking over C&D last month off an 8lb lower mark. Another bold show looks likely.

Form: 606521

Presenting Mahler¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 114| D

20/1

Veteran of 35 starts over the larger obstacles, winner on four occasions. Racing 5lb higher than last winning mark and appears vulnerable in this company.

Form: 0P7407

Mindsmadeup¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: J G Sheehan| OR: 109

11/2

Gelding who has been running well in defeat and deserves a change of luck but is likely to find one or two better handicapped sorts in the line-up.

Form: 324442

Forecasts

Punches Cross (2/1), Arvico Bleu (5/2), Mindsmadeup (11/2), Dakota Moirette (8/1), Quamino (9/1), Drumconnor Lad (10/1), Presenting Mahler (20/1)

There was plenty to like about PUNCHES CROSS win over C&D last month, travelling well during the contest before asserting in the final 100yds to win under hands and heels, at the fourth time of asking for connections. Arvico Bleu, for inform trainer/jockey combination of Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore can emerge as the biggest danger, while Paul Nolans, Quamino and Dakota Moirette are worth another check following last time out hiccups.