14:55 Thurles

Thursday 20 February 2020

All13:5514:2514:5515:2515:5516:2516:55

Thurles Racecourse Hunters Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 55.50s

Macs Legend³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Kelleher| OR: 113| D

25/1

Fourth of eight in a January point-to-point when failing to secure a hat-trick of wins in this sphere. Two from 17 over the larger obstacles under rules.

Form: 425114

Mighty Stowaway^b³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 129| C| D

4/1

Two from eight over fences under rules. Has won three of his last four point-to-point starts since November. Course winner is certainly on the shortlist.

Form: 741211

Ucello Conti^b1,t⁵⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| CD

8/1

Course winner that has also won over a similar trip. Not in the best of form this season but first-time blinkers on to sharpen him up.

Form: 5P1-P2P

Samurai Cracker²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: Caroline Mccaldin| D

11/1

Runner up in three of his last four point-to-point starts. Winner of a Limerick hunter chase in December before falling at the last when still in contention at Naas last month. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: 2-2421F

Some Man⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Christie| D

2/1

Landed a double on the point-to-point circuit before winning a 14 runner Clonmel hunter chase over 2m4f last month. Another bold bid likely.

Form: 45/5-111

Stand Up And Fight²⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: E Bolger| OR: 139| BF| D

7/4

Winner of one of his five starts over the larger obstacles. Leading player with significant jockey booking on return to action.

Form: P/1126-P

Wounded Warrior^p³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr P A King⁽⁷⁾| T: S Curling| OR: 129| D

20/1

Has three wins over fences. Ran well when he was third of 17 at Punchestown (3m7f) back in May. Running with credit in a number of point-to-point starts since November. More needed to get competitive.

Form: 45-3432

Dubai Dandy⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr S Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: E J Creighton

100/1

Dubai Destination gelding out of a Orchestra mare. From the family of King Credo. Pulled up on hunter chase debut at Limerick over Christmas. Appears to have a bit to prove.

Form: 22/P3-2P

Salsify²⁵

Age: 15| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr F Maguire⁽³⁾| T: R Sweeney| OR: 139| D

50/1

Popular veteran, winner of 11 of his 34 starts over fences. As good as there was in this division a few years ago, but age has caught up with him.

Form: 3/386-U9

Forecasts

Stand Up And Fight (7/4), Some Man (2/1), Mighty Stowaway (4/1), Ucello Conti (8/1), Samurai Cracker (11/1), Wounded Warrior (20/1), Macs Legend (25/1), Salsify (50/1), Top Question (100/1), Lady Violet (100/1), Dubai Dandy (100/1)

The eight-year-old gelding, STAND UP AND FIGHT can add a second career win over the larger obstacles under jockey Derek O'Connor. The J P McManus-owned son of Flemensfirth can see of the attentions of his closest rivals, expected to be Mighty Stowaway for trainer J J Hanlon and January hunter chase winner at Clonmel, Some Man. Samurai Cracker, winner of a Limerick hunter chase over Christmas could emerge as a lively outsider.