13:15 Thurles

Friday 10 January 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Molony Cup Handicap Chase (0-109)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 34.5s

Ballybrowney Jack^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107

10/1

Placed 4-10 over fences but has yet to get his head in front. Best form over slightly shorter so stamina may be an issue on his first start for 105 days. Stable has 20% strike rate here.

Form: F4-6FP3

He Rock's^b,t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Keith Donoghue| T: S J Mahon| OR: 107| C| D

33/1

At his best with plenty of give in the ground but hasn't won since October 2016 and has modest 3-44 record over fences. Shaped well to 2 out at Leopardstown over Christmas before weakening. Falling back to a workable mark so worth market check.

Form: PP-0267

Lady Writer^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 105

6/1

Dual 3m handicap hurdle winner last winter but hasn't looked a natural in four attempts so far over fences. Pulled up when well behind at Punchestown last month and has plenty to find.

Form: 14-4P6P

Shanroe Al C¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: K Thornton| OR: 105| BF

5/2

Reeled off hat-trick over hurdles last spring then added a win on chasing bow at Tipperary in October. Beaten favourite last two starts over fences at up to 2m5f but has shaped well and may improve for this return to 3m.

Form: 11-1124

Tongie^p1¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 103

20/1

Yet to score beyond 2m3f and at his best in very testing conditions. Has come down the weights over the last two seasons but didn't show enough last time off 2lb higher to suggest he's a winner-in-waiting. First-tme cheekpieces.

Form: P05F64

Sunchyme⁹⁹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: J Hurley| OR: 102

16/1

Off the mark at the eighth attempt when landing Cork 3m maiden hurdle in April 2017. Not seen since so has clearly had serious issues and it would be some feat if he gets involved after such a long absence.

Form: 920351/

Fleurys Fort^v⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: L Young| OR: 94| C

22/1

Six-time hurdles winner at up to 2m6f, at his best on a decent surface. Hasn't cut too much ice though over fences to date and was well beaten here in November over 2m2f.

Form: 550077

Open To The World^p⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 92

10/1

1-33, only success coming in July 2017 Kilbeggan maiden hurdle. Both placed efforts over fences have come at Downpatrick and was solid second there last time at similar trip. Chance if backing that up here.

Form: 544205

Blue Templar²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: E Bolger| OR: 91| D

7/1

Dual winner at Punchestown 3m1f last spring on cross country course, but unseated rider when behind last time at Cheltenham in similar event. Not out of it but has a bit to prove on regular park course.

Form: 47457U

Robin De Roost^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 91

14/1

Won two 2m4f handicap chases in 2017 but nothing since. Pulled up when behind last two starts and appears to be really struggling for form at present.

Form: 6462PP

Misty Adage⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: O R Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Mangan| OR: 89

9/2

Only modest but ran okay last time when second in Tramore 2m5f contest, keeping on after last. Extra two furlongs should help the cause and has reasonable place prospects once again.

Form: 53-4502

Loch Luatha^p⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: L Young| OR: 87| CD

20/1

Career record of 1-43 tells its own story but that win came over C&D in December 2018 off 3lb higher mark. Fair second at Sligo in September but pulled up at Fairyhouse last time and has questions to answer.

Form: 44402P

Johnnys Girl^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lee| OR: 81

20/1

Six-race maiden who hasn't shown much at all in two starts so far in Clonmel beginners chases. Makes handicap bow off lowly mark and a victory would come as something of a surprise.

Form: 005P-00

Killisk Ben Rose²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: R P Rath| OR: 80

33/1

Showed little in first five starts under Rules but did better latest on handicap bow when 4th of 16 at Wexford in April. Returns from 258-day absence and has been dropped 5lb. Not totally without hope and worth a market check.

Form: 22/F44-

Forecasts

Shanroe Al C (5/2), Misty Adage (9/2), Lady Writer (6/1), Blue Templar (7/1), Open To The World (10/1), Ballybrowney Jack (10/1), Robin De Roost (14/1), Sunchyme (16/1), Loch Luatha (20/1), Johnnys Girl (20/1), Tongie (20/1), Fleurys Fort (22/1), Killisk Ben Rose (33/1), He Rock's (33/1)

In a race where most of his rivals have questions to answer SHANROE AL C looks to have solid credentials having run well in defeat on his last two starts. The step up in trip should help his cause. Open To The World appeared to run a better race last time but is none too consistent, but He Rock's didn't run at all badly at Leopardstown last time and could be a danger. Ballybrowney Jack, Blue Templar, Killisk Ben Rose, and Misty Adage are others in with a shout if things go their way.