15:15 Fairyhouse

Wednesday 1 January 2020

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

ITM Stallion Trail 10th & 11th January Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 56.10s

Ah Littleluck^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr N McParlan⁽⁵⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 127| C

11/2

Failed to complete the course on first three starts this term, but got back to his best when when 2¼ lengths third of 15 to Killer Miller over 3m5f here last time. Should remain competitive despite a 2lb rise.

Form: 0-PFP43

Cheb De Kerviniou⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 121

6/1

Exposed in France, but has shown some very useful form, including when placed in a Grade 3 Handicap at Auteuil in the spring, Fourth in similar event on October return, and should be very competitive on Irish debut.

Form: 3932-84

Biddy The Boss^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 119| C

7/1

Rather a mixed bag this term, but right back to form when 1¾L second of 12 to Frankly All Talk in a 3m1½ handicap chase at Punchestown last time. Will be involved if repeating that effort.

Form: P-P5902

Chavi Artist³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 117| C

11/2

His sole success so far came over hurdles here (2m) back in February. Has been well held on his completed appearances over fences this season, and is turned out quickly after being brought down at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Form: 08006B

Cle En Main^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: A J Martin| OR: 115

5/1

Promise when second on chase debut at Gowran last March, but has not repeated that form. Finished last of seven on handicap bow at Navan last month, and has something to prove after that.

Form: 12-007

Sir Bob^b1³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: R Tyner| OR: 115

15/2

Good second on handicap chase debut at Naas over a year ago, but well held after another absence at Roscommon in September, and beaten when falling at the last at Punchestown on latest start. Needs to step up with blinkers now tried.

Form: 42/22-8F

Lotto Numbers³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 114

11/2

Set difficult tasks over fences since his debut last month finishing behind Champagne Classic at Fairyhouse, Samcro at Down Royal, and Laurina at Gowran last time. May do better now handicapping, but opening mark is no gimme.

Form: P-3437

School Lane^b²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 109

14/1

Still looking for a first career win, but twice runner-up at Downpatrick last year, including in the Ulster National. Beaten when unseating his rider at Hexham last time, but should get back on track given consistent profile.

Form: 24-2UP3

Don't Let Go^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: N P Madden| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 104| D

25/1

Largely disappointing in this sphere since winning at Kilbeggan in June, and latest run saw him fail to complete in the race won by Rock's Silver at Punchestown in late November.

Form: 31P45P

Capture The Drama⁶⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-3| J: M M McDonagh⁽⁷⁾| T: Aengus King| OR: 102| CD

33/1

Fourth over 2m1f at Tipperary in May, and now 9lb lower, but he's not done much on the meantime to encourage support, and may not be the force of old.

Form: 4P779P

It's Only A Number⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: I J McCarthy| T: F J Flood| OR: 102

11/1

Seemed to run quite well in novice company at Roscommon on his penultimate start, but fell at the first on handicap debut at Punchestown, and remains to be seen how that's affected his confidence.

Form: 6P-608F

Forecasts

Cle En Main (5/1), Chavi Artist (11/2), Lotto Numbers (11/2), Ah Littleluck (11/2), Cheb De Kerviniou (6/1), Biddy The Boss (7/1), Sir Bob (15/2), It's Only A Number (11/1), School Lane (14/1), Don't Let Go (25/1), Capture The Drama (33/1)

CHEB DE KERVINIOU has been keeping better company in France, and while he's unlikely to progress further, the pick of his form would give him a big chance in this ordinary event. Ah Littleluck was back to form here last time, and should remain competitive, while Biddy The Boss also broke a poor run when runner-up at Punchestown on her latest outing, and enters calculations on that form.