14:45 Down Royal

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:0012:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Bluegrass Hunters Chase

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 6m 9.1s

All Hell Let Loose⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T D Hyde⁽⁷⁾| T: T E Hyde| OR: 132

33/1

Finished second of 13 at Listowel (3m) on his return to Rules back in June in a positive performance. Was pulled up last time out in a point-to-point at Kinsale (3m) though. Needs to bounce back here.

Form: 222-22P

Arctic Skipper^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: V Halley| OR: 140

10/1

Has been in great form in point-to-points, winning on his last three outings. The last time he ran under Rules, he was ninth of 12 in the Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup. Can't be discounted.

Form: 112-111

Billaway²⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr N McParlan⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| BF

11/1

Broke his maiden under Rules on his penultimate start at Downpatrick (2m7½f) in a hunters chase. Went close to following that up last time at Cork (2m4f) as he was second of 10. This assignment looks tougher so others are preferred.

Form: 2/26312-

Black Hercules³²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

7/2

Former winner of the JLT Novices' Chase. Has struggled for form since then, albeit at a much higher level than this. Returned to action in a point-to-point last time where he probably needed the run. Big player.

Form: F1543/2

Burning Ambition⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: Pierce Power| OR: 135| C

3/1

Has been successful twice over fences, with his latest victory coming at this track over 2m3½f back in March. He could only finish sixth of nine on his latest outing at Wexford (2m4f). Very capable in hunter chases. One for the shortlist.

Form: 1312-26

Coastal Tiep^t²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B G Crawford⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 131

20/1

Has been running well in hunter chases this year without success, including when he was third of nine at Fairyhouse (3m½f). Unseated his rider last time in a point-to-point at Loughanmore (3m). Needs to bounce back.

Form: 52P43-U

Cosmic Flight^t1²⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr I P Donoghue⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford

50/1

Was successful at the eighth attempt last time out in a point-to-point at Loughbrickland. Set for his opening appearance under Rules. Will wear a tongue-tie for the first time. Hard to make a case for on what he has shown so far.

Form: U22/221-

Dylrow^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jordan Gainford⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Christie| OR: 122

25/1

Was a winner twice at Fairyhouse back in January. Has struggled since then in three starts under Rules, including when he was pulled up at this course over 2m. Scored in a point-to-point last time out. Others are preferred.

Form: 1160-P1

Edwulf^t³¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 152

3/1

Scored in the Grade One Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February 2018. Has not won since under Rules, although he has largely been running at the highest level. Was successful in a point-to-point on his latest start. Big player.

Form: 187/583-

It Came To Pass³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 126| D

9/1

Prevailed for the fourth time over fences on his latest outing at Cork (3m), scoring by the narrow margin of a head. Is in great form this year. Dropping down in distance slightly here. One to think about.

Form: 11-U1U1

Marinero¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr L J Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Christie| OR: 130| CD

33/1

His last success was in a hunters chase at Ascot (2m5f) in March 2018. Has been unable to follow that up in five attempts since. He was fourth of 17 in a point-to-point at Borris House (3m) earlier this more. Others standout more.

Form: 1/34P-24

Ucello Conti^p,t²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| D

9/1

Has some great form over the bigger fences on the Grand National Course. Scored at Fairyhouse (3m½f) three starts back. Was second of nine in a point-to-point last time out. Serious player.

Form: 15P1-P2

Val De Ferbet^t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J J O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: A McNamara| OR: 140

25/1

Has failed to finish on his last three starts under Rules. His form in point-to-points is solid recently, with success coming at Tinahely (3m) on his latest outing. Will need to produce much more at this level.

Form: 2FFP-31

Venitien De Mai²⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P C Bannon⁽⁷⁾| T: J T R Dreaper| OR: 135| C

33/1

Has been running consistently well without success over the last couple of years in point-to-points and under Rules. His last appearance was in March where he was second in a point-to-point contest at Lingstown (3m1f). Others are preferred.

Form: 9224/22-

Walshestown²⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: A A Howard

25/1

Has had just the one appearance in his career so far and that was when he scored by five lengths in a point-to-point at Durrow (3m). Untested at this level so he is best to watch on his Rules debut.

Form: 1-

Bridgets Pet⁶⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Reserve 1| T: J Woods| OR: 140| D

50/1

First Reserve. His last success under Rules was at Fairyhouse (2m5½f) in January 2016. He has been running modestly well in point-to-points recently without success. Likely to have it all to do if he gets in.

Form: 5443-23

Non-Runners

Oscar Contender³⁹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: D H Kelly J: Mr J W Hannon

Call It Magic³⁹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: R O'Sullivan J: Reserve 2

Wounded Warrior³³

Weight: 12-0| Age: 10

T: S Curling J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Edwulf (3/1), Burning Ambition (3/1), Black Hercules (7/2), It Came To Pass (9/1), Ucello Conti (9/1), Arctic Skipper (10/1), Billaway (11/1), Coastal Tiep (20/1), Dylrow (25/1), Val De Ferbet (25/1), Walshestown (25/1), Wounded Warrior (25/1), Call It Magic (25/1), Oscar Contender (25/1), All Hell Let Loose (33/1), Marinero (33/1), Venitien De Mai (33/1), Bridgets Pet (50/1), Cosmic Flight (50/1)

BLACK HERCULES is the standout horse in the race and although he has not won since scoring in the 2016 JLT Novices' Chase, he should have the class to prevail here, especially after his run in a point-to-point last month. Edwulf prevailed in the 2018 Irish Gold Cup and will be a huge player at this level, while Burning Ambition has some good form in hunter chases at Aintree and Punchestown so should also run a big race.