14:40 Cork

Sunday 21 April 2019

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 14:44 | Winning time: 5m 13.10s

Arctic Fire^h²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: D Cullen| C| D

7/1

Classy Grade 1-winning, 169-rated hurdler in his pomp for trainer Willie Mullins. Still early days over fences, though has finished a long way behind in both attempts so far.

Form: 314494

Beyond The Law^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: M F Morris| OR: 133

9/2

Flattered by the runner-up finish at Tramore a week ago when second to Willie Mullins-trained Class Conti (beaten 23L, only two finishers). Yet to truly convince, but not ruled out in this race.

Form: 526F52

Carrig Cathal^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 120| D

18/1

Useful 138-rated hurdler but remains without a win in six chase starts, though last month's Limerick handicap bow (2m1½f, good) was an improved showing. Can have a say.

Form: 26F053

Duke Of Kilcorral^p1⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P E Corbett⁽³⁾| T: D H Kelly

28/1

Flattered to deceive in nine-race hurdles career for Neil Mulholland in Britain (one win) and now reverts to chasing on first start for new trainer; market may reveal more.

Form: U22-150

Halsafari¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| BF| D

14/1

2-6 over hurdles before seemingly failing to see out 3m at Wexford last time (pulled up), back down in distance and goes chasing, has potential and one of the more interesting sorts.

Form: 94121P

Lord Schnapps^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: M J Smith

25/1

Well held in sole point-to-point run, and disappointing in three maiden hurdles since February. Reverts to chasing and will need to up his game markedly.

Form: 5944

Rathnure Rebel⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: N Meade| C

5/4

Plenty to like about the Beneficial geldings second of 15 beaten 8½L in a Gowran Park beginners contest earlier this month on soft ground over 2m4f. Grade 3-winning hurdler and potentially a leading player in this company.

Form: 1145/P2

Star Of Oscar⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Doyle| BF

50/1

Won on his latest point-to-point start in November but generally struggled in four hurdle contests since. Looks a tall order on chasing debut.

Form: R10540

Tiantu^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P Power⁽⁵⁾| T: Paul Power

25/1

Flattered to deceive in five hurdles starts last year. Produced a promising debut over the larger obstacles when finishing second behind the well thought-of Littlestickarubarb at Clonmel. Open to significant improvement.

Form: 377752

Turbo³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N P Madden| T: J R Finn

50/1

Finished well held fourth in first two chase starts, including over an extended 2m1f at Fairyhouse (good-to-yielding) in February. Unseated early on at Limerick last month, caution advised.

Form: 46444U

Western Honour^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 126| D

7/1

No shock that he improved enough to win 2-7 outings over timber after joining Gordon Elliott, latest over this sort of trip at Ayr in February. First start over fences, market should reveal plenty.

Form: 213615

Victoria Bay²⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P D Kennedy| T: C Bowe| D

11/1

Mare progressed quickly once going into handicaps over hurdles, with two wins in four starts achieving 120 rating. Held at Galway when last spotted in August. Winning point-to-pointer in only run, so should have future over fences.

Form: 061-217

Forecasts

Rathnure Rebel (5/4), Beyond The Law (9/2), Western Honour (7/1), Arctic Fire (7/1), Victoria Bay (11/1), Halsafari (14/1), Carrig Cathal (18/1), Lord Schnapps (25/1), Tiantu (25/1), Duke Of Kilcorral (28/1), Turbo (50/1), Star Of Oscar (50/1)

Having made a pleasing start to his chasing career at Gowran Park (second) RATHNURE REBEL can go one better. He was a decent hurdler and should have a future in this sphere based on that run. Having progressed quickly over timber, the returning Victoria Bay is of interest here while Halsafari, Tiantu and Carrig Cathal are also worth considering.