15:50 Down Royal

Tuesday 28 January 2020

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Molson Coors Handicap Chase (0-123)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 41.8s

Rooster Byron⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 123| D

9/2

Below par effort on seasonal return in November but much better effort last time out at Navan in December; may need to drop a few pounds to get truly competitive but not without a chance on best of his form.

Form: 3U0P-73

Final List^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 121

9/2

Looks to be slowly coming to hand following the fitting of cheekpieces (retained); another who probably needs to drop down the handicap a few pounds but should run his race.

Form: 430462

Brosna George^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: A L T Moore| OR: 118| CD

14/1

Was useful over hurdles last season where he notched up three victories; has found thjngs more difficult over fences where he has been a little inconsistent on his four runs; if jumping improves, he holds every chance.

Form: 6P-8627

Cappacurry Zak^p³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: L Young| OR: 118| D

7/1

Won for the third over fences when landing a Limerick handicap chase over a 2m6½f trip over Christmas; well backed last time and worth another note in the betting especially if the ground becomes any heavier.

Form: 2P-P221

Aherlow⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 117| D

11/2

Fairly consistent chaser but hardly ever looks like winning a race; needs to bounce back after being pulled up last time out at the beginning of December; other preferred.

Form: 65-333P

Jurby⁸⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 117

12/1

First win for this trainer came over hurdles last month at Galway; previous chasing form leaves a bit to be desired exemplified by disappointing run last time out over course and distance; improvement needed.

Form: 8-06915

Castafiore Park^b³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 113| CD

10/1

Was proving to be a frustrating sort but got off the mark over fences at the seventh attempt with gutsy success over course and distance at the start of November; races off a 9lb higher mark but still commands respect.

Form: 6U7-173

Blue Empyrean⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: R K Watson| OR: 109| C

12/1

Former Gordon Elliott inmate who won a bumper for him over three years ago but has shown only limited flashes of form since then; latest efforts over hurdles nothing to write home about; something to prove back over fences.

Form: P800-30

Cherokee Bill^b¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 109| BF

7/1

Still looking for his first victory over fences in ten starts; fair effort last time in a beginners event but this looks a lot more difficult; place claims at best.

Form: 7245U2

School Lane^b²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 108| D

7/1

Still looking for a first career win, but twice runner-up at Downpatrick last year, including in the Ulster National; slightly below par on last two racecourse appearances but slowly creeping down the handicap.

Form: 4-2UP38

Non-Runners

Pegase Amour¹⁰

Weight: 10-5| Age: 9

T: L Lennon J: A W Short

Forecasts

Final List (9/2), Rooster Byron (9/2), Aherlow (11/2), Cappacurry Zak (7/1), School Lane (7/1), Cherokee Bill (7/1), Castafiore Park (10/1), Jurby (12/1), Blue Empyrean (12/1), Brosna George (14/1), Pegase Amour (14/1)

Connections of CAPPACURRY ZAK will be hoping for plenty more rain at the Ulster track but if it does materialise it may pay to side with the eleven-year-old who won well last time out at Limerick and raced that day as though they may be a little bit more to come despite approaching the veteran stage of his career. Castafiore Park won over course and distance in November and although facing a much tougher ask at the weights should give a good account of herself. Pegase Amour has run well at this track in the past and may be suited to this step up in trip.