16:40 Thurles

Saturday 23 March 2019

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

Duggan Veterinary Supplies Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 10.00s

Sizing Rome¹³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: J T R Dreaper| OR: 116

8/1

Got off the mark for connections winning his first handicap chase at the fourth time of asking in a Punchestown 3m1f contest in October off a 14lb lower mark. Fourth of 20 beaten 9L behind Out Sam on his latest start but another bold show expected.

Form: 47U414

Capture The Drama⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr E Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: Aengus King| OR: 114| D

10/1

Just the one success and one place from 14 starts over the trip and the veteran has appeared to lose his way a little in a couple of starts this month. Not in the form required to play a part.

Form: 73025P

Chief Of Panama⁵²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 109| D

20/1

Winner of two of his eight starts over this trip the latest of which came in a Punchestown handicap chase on good ground over two years ago off a 4lb lower mark. Appears a little vulnerable off current mark.

Form: P/002PB-

Crocodile Dundee^h⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Cooper| T: T Cooper| OR: 109

12/1

One from 18 over the larger obstacles and the Westerner gelding has failed to complete in three of his last four starts including two falls over fences. Slipping in the weights but still opposable.

Form: 73F6FP

Big Bad Brian^t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: Miss H McLoughlin| OR: 102

8/1

A winner over hurdles for his previous yard but hasn't looked like a winner in waiting over fences in a number of dour efforts since the turn of the year. Looks a tall order in this company.

Form: 7PP8F7

Celebrity Status¹⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Ricky Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 100

9/2

Fair chaser. Respectable fifth of 11 in novice chase at Sligo over 2m5f on good ground in September sporting a first-time visor but pulled up when beaten two out at Wexford when last seen in October. Possibly best watched.

Form: 08285P

Stoughan Cross^t⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: T Gibney| OR: 99| D

14/1

Well held and never a factor in three starts over hurdles since December. Returns over the larger obstacles here where the Court Cave gelding is two from 15 starts. Last win in April 2017 was over this trip off a 4lb higher mark. Others preferred.

Form: P-40P80

Oisin James^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss D O'Shea| OR: 95

11/2

Drop in trip for the four race chase maiden. His third of 10 beaten over 12L on most recent start over fences last month puts the gelding firmly in the mix here.

Form: 73FP-30

Bee A Beneficiary^h³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: D Queally| OR: 94

2/1

Off the mark over timber for connections at the eighth time of asking when landing a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in July but nothing of note in a couple of beginners contests previous to that win. More expected now handicap chasing.

Form: 25-0810

Forecasts

Bee A Beneficiary (2/1), Celebrity Status (9/2), Oisin James (11/2), Sizing Rome (8/1), Big Bad Brian (8/1), Capture The Drama (10/1), Crocodile Dundee (12/1), Stoughan Cross (14/1), Chief Of Panama (20/1)

Trainer Jim Dreaper appears to have found an ideal opening for his Cork national fourth, SIZING ROME to win his third chase following a 139-day break. The seven-year-old has more solid and consistent runs on his CV in this field and can see off the attentions of Bee A Beneficiary on handicap debut and Clomel third on his last chase start, Oisin James.