13:15 Thurles

Thursday 7 February 2019

All13:1513:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Templemore Beginners Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 7.10s

Arvico Bleu³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131

9/4

Unlucky not to have got his head in front so far over fences and only beaten a neck when third at Naas last time. Capable of taking this drop back in class in his stride here and the one to beat.

Form: 642223

Benruben¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J W Nicholson| D

20/1

Distance winner of a Leopardstown bumper in December. Eighth of 17 well held on chasing debut at Gowran Park last month and others preferred.

Form: 5/7-3P18

Big Bad Brian^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: Miss H McLoughlin| OR: 104

100/1

A winner over hurdles for his previous yard but hasn't looked like a winner in waiting over fences in recent times. Makes his eighth chase start, fell last time out and likely to do better when tried over further.

Form: 57PP8F

Churchtown Glen³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: M Winters

100/1

Wexford maiden hurdle winner who has proven rather disappointing in two starts since over timber and was well down the field on chasing debut last month. Hard to make a case for him on form to hand.

Form: 571067

Dolciano Dici⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

9/2

Distance winner of a French hurdle but well held in three career chase starts to date. Hasn't shown enough to be of interest, though likely capable of better at some stage.

Form: 41/4-47P

Ex Patriot¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| D

11/8

Talented over hurdles and finished fourth in the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival back in 2017 as well as landing a Grade 3 contest. Has shaped well in his last couple of chase starts and solid each-way claims on that form here.

Form: 1275-54

Fly De Megaudais¹²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: M J McDonagh

100/1

Currently 0-9 over hurdles and hasn't finished within hailing distance in any of six completed runs in that sequence. Best watched on chasing debut.

Form: 8P9P70

Sanibel Island^b1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 112| D

66/1

Desperate form in six starts over the larger obstacles and most likely best watched in first-time blinkers in this contest.

Form: 4676PF

Stooshie²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

5/1

Always appears to give a good account of himself when running well in defeat over hurdles. Interesting recruit over fences and worth a market check, particularly for these connections.

Form: 369544

Turbo^h1¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: J R Finn

33/1

Bumper winner. Failed to build on promising hurdling debut at Downpatrick in June. First time hood unlikely to bring about the required amount of progression needed to land a blow here on chasing debut.

Form: 0-12464

Whitmore Power³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: Una Corcoran

200/1

Finished 11th of 13 beaten 60L on first start since 2016 last month. Had shown bits of ability but probably best watched for now.

Form: P096/0

Fu's Island³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: A Ring| T: P Meany

100/1

Has won two of her 16 starts over hurdles. Out of form in that sphere of late though and likely best watched on chase debut over a trip short of her best.

Form: 90000/0

Forecasts

Ex Patriot (11/8), Arvico Bleu (9/4), Dolciano Dici (9/2), Stooshie (5/1), Benruben (20/1), Turbo (33/1), Sanibel Island (66/1), Big Bad Brian (100/1), Churchtown Glen (100/1), Fly De Megaudais (100/1), Fu's Island (100/1), Whitmore Power (200/1)

The solid and consistent Henry De Bromhead-trained ARVICO BLEU can land the opening race following up a couple of fine efforts at Fairyhouse and Naas recently. The seven-year-old can hold off the attentions of the Willie Mullins-trained Dolciano Dici and Ex Patriot, the mount of Derek O'Connor. 128-rated hurdler Stooshie from the Gordon Elliott yard is worthy of consideration on chasing introduction.