13:25 Leopardstown

Saturday 28 December 2019

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40

Ballymaloe Foods Beginners Chase

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 5m 28.40s

Allaho²⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF

11/8

Chased home the high-class Minella Indo (rated 152) in a Grade 1 over hurdles last time out and, having finished third behind the same rival at Cheltenham back in March, the gelding has to be considered as a leading player now he goes chasing.

Form: 2/413-2

Brace Yourself²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

16/1

Showed plenty of ability in bumpers and managed a comfortable win on his final start over hurdles in 2018. Held on his chasing debut last month but will be a lot sharper this time. One to note with interest for sure.

Form: 2132/1-7

Canardier^h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: D A McLoughlin| D

8/1

Won over hurdles at Cheltenham (when rated 134) last October but only fifth on his return to the same course in the Coral Cup in March; fell on chase debut but still in contention at the time. More to come if unscathed and will at least be wiser.

Form: 3153-7F

Cartwright^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

50/1

0-2 over fences and well beaten both times; the best of his hurdles form also leaves the gelding with a bit to find. Others more appealing on this occasion.

Form: 064-000

Choungaya^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

16/1

Was a good second behind a useful performer on chase debut at Naas last month but failed to build on the performance when only fourth at Punchestown last time; has scope to improve over fences but needs to prove the trip ideally suits.

Form: 56F7-24

Easy Game⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

9/2

Useful over hurdles (rated 142) and has generally kept good company. Looks the stable's second string on this occasion but he's still a useful performer in his own right. No surprise to see him heavily involved if taking to fences.

Form: 1183-72

Mr Jacaranda^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: A J Martin

100/1

Still a maiden over hurdles and 0-1 over fences; well beaten on chase debut at Clonmel last month and plenty to find on a literal reading of the handicapper's assessment of his ability so far; others looks far stronger candidates.

Form: 300400

Myth Buster²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead

20/1

Stablemate of Walk Away who has a bit to find on a literal reading of his hurdles form. He was, however, going well until he unseated the rider 4 out over fences last time and might have a bit more to offer.

Form: 3437-4U

Rhinestone^t²⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

10/1

Not seen since pulled up behind the likes of Allaho in the Albert Bartlet Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival; but had been progressing nicely. He's had time to recover and this is a new challenge; the betting market could be informative.

Form: 29/142P-

Walk Away⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead

3/1

Finished seventh in a Grade 1 over hurdles at Cheltenham in March; well behind Allaho; also held by the same rival at Punchestown in May. No chance with an easy winner (Faugheen) on chase debut but has that experience to draw upon; solid contender.

Form: 114-72

Forecasts

Allaho (11/8), Walk Away (3/1), Easy Game (9/2), Canardier (8/1), Rhinestone (10/1), Choungaya (16/1), Brace Yourself (16/1), Myth Buster (20/1), Cartwright (50/1), Mr Jacaranda (100/1)

ALLAHO has the best hurdles form and is sure to have been primed for this his debut run over fences. The selection's old rival Walk Away has vital experience of fences and can put up more of a fight this time; while Rhinestone ran no sort when he was pulled up at Cheltenham (behind Allaho) back in March and adds a touch of the unknown to the race. He's certainly one to keep tabs on in the betting, whereas Easy Game is a quality alternative for the Willie Mullins team to go to war with if anything go amiss with their main hope.