16:04 Gowran Park

Saturday 15 February 2020

All13:1013:4414:1914:5415:2916:0416:39

Talbot Carlow Careys Cottage Cup Novice Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:04 | Winning time: 4m 34.7s

Alfie's Choice²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C P McNamara⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 116

16/1

Winner over hurdles for trainer Keith Dalgleish. Well beaten in a couple of starts for new connections last month in beginners company and remains easy to oppose once again.

Form: 151-378

The Long Mile³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 115| D

3/1

Off the mark for connections at the fourth time of asking over the larger obstacles when landing a Naas 2m handicap off an 11lb lower mark in December. Not beaten far from revised mark at Fairyhouse last month and another bold bid expected here.

Form: 737012

Arverne⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N P Madden| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 115

16/1

Has shown very little in a number of starts for new connections since joining from France. Profile suggests he is worth taking on once again.

Form: 13-6800

Conright Boy^t⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Mrs C O'Leary| OR: 105| BF| D

9/2

Pulled up on latest start at Fairyhouse when sent off the 4/1f following encouraging efforts in November/December. On a losing run that dates back to 2017 but could be a leading player here.

Form: F-6922P

Rock On Aussie^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 98

16/1

10-race maiden and things don't appear to be looking up for the Aussie Rules gelding after pulling up at Navan last month. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success.

Form: 65874P

Weihnachts¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: J S McGarvey| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 98

25/1

Nine-race maiden. Never a factor in a couple of early starts over fences in September/October last year. Needs to improve on recent starts to get competitive in this contest.

Form: 50-290P

Fivecardstud¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: M A Enright| T: J T R Dreaper| OR: 90

7/2

Posted a career best effort to finish fourth of 15 beaten 7¾L at Down Royal last month following a number of dismal efforts over fences since December. Needs to back up most recent performance.

Form: P6/7884

Royal Reve^p1⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T M Walsh| OR: 90

4/1

Well beaten and no impression in three starts over fences since his debut in November. First time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 0805

Cluan Dara⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 88

6/1

Improved effort on third chase start at Thurles earlier this month. Needs to raise overall profile to get competitive in this company.

Form: 785905

Forecasts

The Long Mile (3/1), Fivecardstud (7/2), Royal Reve (4/1), Conright Boy (9/2), Cluan Dara (6/1), Alfie's Choice (16/1), Rock On Aussie (16/1), Arverne (16/1), Weihnachts (25/1)

CONRIGHT BOY can bounce back to form here following a faltering effort at Fairyhouse in January. The 11-year-old who was found to be clinically abnormal post race, has been given enough time to recover to give a good account of himself ahead of The Long Mile who can emerge as the biggest danger in this contest. Rock On Aussie and Fivecardstud can challenge for minor honours.