16:50 Cork

Sunday 20 October 2019

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:25

coopsuperstores.ie Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 26.6s

Doctor Phoenix^p,t¹⁷¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| C

20/1

Veteran failed to capture the good form of 2018 in a number of below-par performances earlier this year. Wasn't disgraced in C&D Grade 1 behind Un De Sceaux last year, but needs big bounce-back here.

Form: 672P5-U

Articulum^t¹⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Phillip Enright| T: T O'Brien| OR: 146| C

5/1

Useful over hurdles, and quickly matched that form over fences despite coming late to the chasing game; mproved further when third to Duc des Genievres in the Arkle at Cheltenham; leading chance.

Form: 47/213-P

Last Goodbye^b,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 139| C

12/1

Winless since landing a valuable Leopardstown contest in February 2018; not got competitive since the start of 2019 but does have fitness on his side from recent run at Listowel.

Form: 2500-63

Game Of War²⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| D

8/1

Has raced just twice since March 2018; won a beginners chase at Thurles last November before being outclassed in a Grade 1 contest at Limerick on Boxing Day; highly regarded and one who deserves respect.

Form: 19F1/16-

Jack Dillinger^h⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 130

9/1

130-rated hurdler; improving and shaping well in four starts over fences since debut in May.; fair second at Listowel in September and should be primed for this event; good chance.

Form: 1P-4622

Lakemilan^h¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: T O'Brien| OR: 130| C

11/4

Has been in good form over fences during the summer as well as running well over hurdles and on the Flat on latest two starts; looks fairly handicapped and hold a decent chance.

Form: 725122

Thecraicisninety^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 130| D

10/1

Generally a consistent sort over fences and hurdles; useful effort last time out at Sligo over 2m1f where he was outfought by a better handicapped rival; plenty in his favour and should give a good account of himself.

Form: 3-22P82

Three Wise Men⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 130| D

33/1

Sole chase win came in 2017 and has failed to build on that early promise; proving regressive and disappointing of late including blundering and unseating rider in a Downpatrick hurdles race recently.

Form: F300-9U

Reach Up^b,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 123| D

20/1

Has been very busy over the summer and early autumn since winning a Punchestown handicap over two miles; nearly back down to that mark and looks one for the shortlist.

Form: 40U757

Seskin Flyer³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽³⁾| T: P Carey| OR: 120| D

12/1

Experienced chaser, winner of three of his 21 starts. Running well in defeat of late, including on his latest start at Listowel last month. More needed but not one to put a line through.

Form: 64-23P3

Ballyegan Hero¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: J J Walsh| OR: 119

9/2

Useful 118-rated handicap hurdler who has taken a while to get the hang of the larger obstacles; best effort, however, came last time out at Tipperary (finished 2nd) and if building on that he has a reasonable chance.

Form: P69622

Forecasts

Lakemilan (11/4), Ballyegan Hero (9/2), Articulum (5/1), Game Of War (8/1), Jack Dillinger (9/1), Thecraicisninety (10/1), Seskin Flyer (12/1), Last Goodbye (12/1), Reach Up (20/1), Doctor Phoenix (20/1), Three Wise Men (33/1)

Plenty with chances in the race of the day. All eyes will be on Arkle third Articulum who returns to a trip better suited to his talents. He may be vulnerable to some better handicapped types and slight preference is given to THECRAICISNINETY who only just failed last time out at Sligo and looks well weighted here. He is closely matched with Reach Up who also finished as a runner-up last time. Watch out for any overweight put up by his jockey as that could be vital in this contest. Game Of War does not race too often but when he does he deserves every respect.