14:30 Thurles

Thursday 7 March 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:4016:4517:15

Urlingford Rated Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 11.50s

Gentleman Duke^p⁷⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: A L T Moore| OR: 116| C

12/1

Hasn't got his head in front since 2015 but has been running admirably in a number of starts over fences since August last year. Not getting any younger but worthy of consideration here.

Form: 3227P5

Battling Spirit²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J J Codd| T: Jonathan Sweeney

2/1

Two from 16 over hurdles and without success in six point-to-point starts previously. Plenty to like about his second of 12 beaten 2L on chasing debut running subsequent winner Snugsborough Hall close at Clonmel last month under today's jockey.

Form: 12-6002

Tongie³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: P A Fahy| OR: 112

10/3

Winner of one of his 18 starts over the larger obstacles but ran well in defeat last time out in a Down Royal handicap chase in January. Capable of a big run dropping in trip.

Form: 40-3863

Runyon Rattler¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 110

14/1

Yet to show any signs of ability in six starts over the larger obstacles including on the Runyon geldings 36L defeat at Naas last month. Hard to see him making any significant impact.

Form: 346U79

Sanibel Island²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 109

40/1

Desperate form in six starts over the larger obstacles and has failed to complete in three of his last four starts, tailed off 137L here over 2m last month. Ex Gordon Elliott inmate is likely to find it tough going here.

Form: 676PF0

Winter Magic^b,t³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J J Mangan| OR: 109| C

8/1

Running well in a number of point-to-point starts in 2018 and is four from 26 over fences. On a long losing run with his last win coming over two years ago at this venue off a 9lb higher mark. Veteran who appears to be past his best.

Form: 12-444P

Lisclogher Lad³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 102

9/2

12-years-old and a maiden of 22 chase starts, put in one of his better efforts to be second at Down Royal last month on debut for this yard before a disappointing effort at Naas when last seen in January. Others preferred.

Form: 77-P226

Naturally Blond^t⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: Patrick Cronin| OR: 102| D

9/1

Running well in defeat over hurdles recently, returns to fences for the fourth time in his career with his second of 16 beaten 1¼L over 2m2f here in November 2017 remains a career best over the larger obstacles. Has the ability to make a bold bid.

Form: 3U3054

Stonehall Jack¹⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: K J Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: D E Fitzgerald| OR: 98| D

20/1

Has only flattered to deceive in a couple of starts in May before suffering a number of heavy defeats over the larger obstacles since. Off since September and needs to improve to have a say here.

Form: 4P0686

Forecasts

Battling Spirit (2/1), Tongie (10/3), Lisclogher Lad (9/2), Winter Magic (8/1), Naturally Blond (9/1), Gentleman Duke (12/1), Runyon Rattler (14/1), Stonehall Jack (20/1), Sanibel Island (40/1)

The booking of jockey Jamie Codd looked inspirational for a while as BATTLING SPIRIT just failed to out-point future winner Snugsborough Hall in a Clonmel beginners contest last month. The 12-year-old can get his head in front this time at the expense of the Paul Townend-ridden Tongie, the reliable J P McManus-owned Gentleman Duke and second over 2m2f here in November 2017, Naturally Blonde.