16:40 Leopardstown

Sunday 1 March 2020

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10

TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 5m 39.30s

Poker Party⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| D

13/8

Still relatively low-mileage over fences, won the Kerry National in September and came from a long way back to be fourth in blockbuster renewal of Paddy Power Chase over 3m here at Christmas; bold bid likely.

Form: 11-3U14

Mortal^t⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: O R Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 147| D

11/2

Won on chase bow at Fairyhouse in December 2018 before finding things tough in Grade 1 novice events last term; easily beaten in both starts this season (latest over hurdles) but far from inconceivable he'll bounce back now handicapping.

Form: 1265-50

Moonshine Bay^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 139

5/1

Well held over C&D last month; his first run for 308 days, entitled to be sharper for that but suspicion he'll want further than this to be at his peak.

Form: 14P44-0

Spider Web¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: N P Madden| T: T Mullins| OR: 134| CD

12/1

Dual C&D winner in the past (including this race) but high enough on ratings and has been pulled up on three of his last four starts over fences. Drop in trip may be a help.

Form: 3-P2P3P

Scoir Mear¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 128

7/1

Down the field in stronger C&D contest last month, continuing his struggles this season. Doesn't appeal on current form from this rating.

Form: 666007

Call The Taxie¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 127

25/1

Ran fine race at Thurles in January over this sort of trip on his return from a 666-day absence; pulled up since in a Grand National Trial at Punchestown. 3lb wrong on these terms but might be suited back down in distance.

Form: P223/5P

From Eden^b,t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 126| D

10/1

Won a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse in November over similar trip and anything but disgraced in couple of recent starts in handicaps. More to do from this mark but dangerous to discount as one of three for last year's winning trainer.

Form: 371026

Gun Digger^b,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| CD

7/1

Has only managed to complete in two of his last eight starts, a C&D winner in the past; he's seemingly reliant on a drop in trip rekindling his enthusiasm for the game.

Form: 3PPP0P

Non-Runners

Anibale Fly²⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 10

T: A J Martin J: B J Geraghty

Tikkanen Express¹⁰

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: J Dullea J: Phillip Enright

Woods Well⁶⁴

Weight: 9-11| Age: 9

T: G Elliott J: C P McNamara

Forecasts

Poker Party (13/8), Anibale Fly (9/2), Moonshine Bay (5/1), Mortal (11/2), Gun Digger (7/1), Scoir Mear (7/1), Tikkanen Express (7/1), From Eden (10/1), Spider Web (12/1), Woods Well (14/1), Call The Taxie (25/1)

Anibale Fly is the class act here and if Tony Martin's charge can find anything like the form shown in chasing home Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last spring, top-weight won't stop him. He has though produced three poor runs in top company this season and has his risks. POKER PARTY on the other hand backed up a Kerry National win when coming from a long way back to be fourth over 3m here at Christmas. He's effective over this trip and looks the one to beat. Tikkanen Express is a big danger while From Eden could prove best of the trio running for Gordon Elliott, winner last year with Woods Well.