14:30 Navan

Sunday 24 November 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase (0-150) (Grade B)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 34.5s

Discorama²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 149| BF

7/1

High-class novice who was second in the NH Chase at Cheltenham. Looked as good as ever when second to Champagne Classic in a Listed chase at Wexford last month. Has a big weight, but also the class to go with it.

Form: 15F2-22

Winter Escape⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: A A Howard| OR: 149

25/1

Beat A Plus Tard in a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown in January before failing to bridge the gap to Grade 1 class. Fair third on seasonal reappearance at Tipperary (2m) in early October, and should be fitter for that, but has stamina to prove at 3m.

Form: 1153-P3

Chris's Dream²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 146| CD

9/2

Best effort to date over fences when winning Grade 2 Ten Up Novice here in February. Looked a smart prospect there, so disappointing that he flopped at Aintree and Punchestown. Too soon to write off, and break may have done him good.

Form: 9/1215-P

Noble Endeavor¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| D

50/1

Missed 2017/18 and while he showed that he retained some ability last season, his form tapered off quickly, and he was again well beaten on his return at Clonmel.

Form: 36/90P-P

Ravenhill⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| D

9/1

Progressive form in this sphere, winning maiden at Limerick in May and handicap there in July. Career-best effort when head second of 18 to Poker Party in Kerry National last time, and fine chance if building on that.

Form: 312152

Tower Bridge^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 141

7/1

Has quickly matched useful hurdles form over fences, and best effort when 15 lengths second of 17 to Duc Des Genievres in maiden at Gowran in February. Kept on well when fourth of 18 to Tornado Flyer at Naas last time, and worth another try at 3m.

Form: 3/5322-4

Woods Well^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: K C Sexton| T: G Elliott| OR: 139

50/1

Won over 2m5½f at Leopardstown in March, and not disgraced when fifth in Topham at Aintree next time. Lesser efforts in Irish Grand National and in Cork Nationmal since, though, and others more convincing now.

Form: 90157-P

Roaring Bull^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

16/1

Only disappointment in a progressive season was in the Irish Grand National on final start, but he finished well behind Discorama when 29L third to Champagne Classic at Wexforn on last month's return, and has work to do to turn the tables.

Form: 41636-3

Mr Diablo^t²⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Brian Hayes| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 136| BF

25/1

Ran a cracker to be second in this race last year, and again runner-up, albeit below best form, over C&D in March. Sound jumper has no secrets from the handicapper, but will give it his best shot again.

Form: 4/02582-

Gun Digger^t,v1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

33/1

Largely disappointing over fences, a well beaten favourite on penultimate start, and running a lifeless race in the Cork National last time. Visored now, but can't be backed with confidence.

Form: 14FP-3P

Shady Operator^t1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 135

12/1

Well held behind A Plus Tard at Cheltenham, and failed to finish in Irish Grand National on final novice outing. Shaped a bit better when third on return at Galway last month, but needs to step forward again, for all a tongue tie could help.

Form: 3147P-3

Solomn Grundy²⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 135| D

14/1

Still a maiden over fences, and best effort for current yard came on last year's return when second to De Name Escapes Me over 2½m here. Not discredited next two starts, but off since running poorly at Cheltenham in March in race won by a Plus Tard.

Form: 91/245P-

Fitzhenry^b²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Nolan| OR: 134| D

14/1

Just 1lb higher than when third to Auvergnat at Leopardstown last Christmas, and can take a hand if back to that form. Respectable efforts at least since, and a return over hurdles at Galway should put him spot on for this.

Form: 6334-53

The Big Lense^p,t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| C

25/1

Had done little wrong since making his handicap chase debut at Listowel, winning that before following up here in September. In touch when unseating rider in Munster National last time, and should continue to give a good account if jumping holds up.

Form: 24411U

Burgas^t³⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 132

25/1

Best effort last season when chasing home Discorama at Naas (2m3f) and solid efforts when third at Limerick and Fairyhouse (2m5½f) subsequently. Stamina not assured for this trip, but he's not badly treated if staying.

Form: 42/2533-

De Name Escapes Me^t¹⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: N P Madden| T: N Meade| OR: 131| C

25/1

Well treated on pick of his chase efforts, and revived by a belated switch to the Flat in the summer. Good third in that sphere recently, but failed to translate that form back to jumps at Galway in August, so hard to know what to expect.

Form: 105-U00

Portmore Lough²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Mark Walsh| T: J E Kiely| OR: 131

8/1

Second to Chacun Pour Soi in March looks much better now, and he has won both chase starts since at Galway. Stayed on well upped to 2m6½f there last time, giving hope he'll stay this trip. Unexposed as a stayer, and much respected.

Form: 1/372-11

Oscar Knight^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T Mullins| OR: 130| C

25/1

Has finished third in Midlands National and Munster National this season, but well below form in Cork version last time, and is proving hard to catch right these days.

Form: U30637

Redhotfillypeppers²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| BF| D

14/1

Small mare who won on chase debut at Limerick (2m1½f) in December, but has disappointed on both starts since. Fairly treated on her useful hurdles form, but jury out on where she stands as a chaser.

Form: F7/113-P

Space Cadet^p,t1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: D J McInerney| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 130| D

40/1

Third in the Thyestes at Gowran in January 2018 and second in Leinster National at same track show what he can do. Winless under Rules since 2016, but has landed a couple of point-to-points recently, and possible that will boost his confidence.

Form: PP/0P-11

Templemore Dream²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: K H Clarke| OR: 122

66/1

Third on return from an absence at Roscommon in September, but he has taken backward steps since, notably when tailed off behind Portmore Lough at Galway. No appeal.

Form: 33F-337

Young Paddymc²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Danny Mullins| T: T Gibney| OR: 122

7/1

Won over 2m6½f at Punchestown in January, and better form when second to Scoir Mear next time. In front when falling at Punchestown in May, and probably needed the run in Cork National last time. Can do better with that under his belt.

Form: 0/212-FP

Timiyan^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 121

66/1

Son of Ghostzapper has a very mixed record over fences, and was beaten 35L behind Portmore Lough at Galway last time. Can't be viewed in a positive light here.

Form: 0P-0BP5

Forecasts

Chris's Dream (9/2), Discorama (7/1), Young Paddymc (7/1), Tower Bridge (7/1), Portmore Lough (8/1), Ravenhill (9/1), Shady Operator (12/1), Fitzhenry (14/1), Redhotfillypeppers (14/1), Solomn Grundy (14/1), Roaring Bull (16/1), Winter Escape (25/1), Mr Diablo (25/1), Burgas (25/1), Oscar Knight (25/1), The Big Lense (25/1), De Name Escapes Me (25/1), Gun Digger (33/1), Space Cadet (40/1), Woods Well (50/1), Noble Endeavor (50/1), Timiyan (66/1), Templemore Dream (66/1)

John Kiely's PORTMORE LOUGH has done most of his racing at shorter, but stayed on well to win well over 2m6½f at Galway last time, and looks a major player with this trip now looking within his compass. The same owner's Tower Bridge is also ready for another crack at this trip, and is feared most, with Discorama and Young Paddymc completing the shortlist.