15:10 Downpatrick

Sunday 22 March 2020

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 7m 40.40s

The Red Menace^b¹⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 135| C

9/1

Not proven beyond 3m and he was beaten a long way in eighth when upped to 3m4f for the Cork National (soft) when last seen in November. His wide-margin win at Galway time before was over 2m6½f.

Form: 513418

Jimmil⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 133

9/2

Ran without success in points last season but now doing well under rules, winning a quite valuable novice handicap chase at Navan (3m, heavy) on latest outing. Up 14lb but he ended well on top and still has potential.

Form: 2-67U41

Gun Digger^b,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

16/1

Pulled up in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February, so has failed to complete on all four attempts at 3m4f+. That makes him opposable despite a 2m5½f win on latest outing.

Form: PPP0P1

General Principle^b,t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 131| D

12/1

Emerged narrowly best in the mayhem of the 2018 Irish National. 0-12 since and mostly disappointing, fading into fourth at Naas two weeks ago after he travelled well enough long way. Opposable these days.

Form: P-PP844

Rocky's Silver^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: J Dullea| OR: 130

28/1

Two wins at Punchestown in a campaign that's been none too consistent. The latter was at 3m1½f but he was pulled up there next time on first attempt at this sort of trip.

Form: 85161P

Amaulino^p,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 129| CD

20/1

Last season he won this race (8lb higher today) three weeks after a win at Leopardstown. Did little in his three starts since (April, August and 19 days ago) but not dismissed given last year's success.

Form: 411P-70

Cheb De Kerviniou^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 129

9/2

Only four starts since arrival from France. Third to Ifyoucatchmenow in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown before another improved effort when second in the 3m Leinster National at Naas. On an upward curve and highly respected.

Form: 842332

Its All Guesswork^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Dempsey| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

12/1

Finished lame at 2019 Cheltenham Festival and only two runs since, over hurdles this winter. Latest was a step back in right direction. A much bigger one is needed and not proven beyond 3m but he looked very interesting before that Cheltenham run.

Form: 1F30-P9

Out Sam^t,v¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

12/1

emote third in the cross-country at Cheltenham 11 days ago. Led when badly hampered turning for home in this race two years ago and he won the 3m4f Cork National in November 2018 off 4lb higher than today, so a case can be made.

Form: FP3063

Ifyoucatchmenow³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127

11/2

Switched to chasing this term and won the Grand National Trial at Punchestown (3m4½f, heavy) last time by a head with strong late challenge, with Cheb De Kerviniou 3L back in third. Up 8lb but has more to offer as an out-and-out stayer.

Form: 42-5481

Space Cadet^b1¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁷⁾| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 127

25/1

Well-held fourth in last season's Grand National Trial at Punchestown but failed to complete in his other four attempts at 3m4f+. Back this winter from pointing but needs to raise his game in first-time blinkers.

Form: 114PF5

Call The Taxie²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 126

100/1

Form chance judged on what he did two seasons back. Missed last term and, after a fair reappearance in January, pulled up on both starts since change of trainer. That includes his sole attempt at this sort of trip.

Form: 223/5PP

Poormans Hill^b,t²⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 126| CD

14/1

Undistinguished last season and last May/June, when last seen. He's still worth a close look, though, as all his three appearances at Downpatrick have been wins, the latest in this race on soft ground two years ago; has 6lb higher mark today.

Form: 4008-50

Cappacurry Zak^p¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: R P Treacy⁽³⁾| T: L Young| OR: 124

28/1

Trying 3m4½f and 3m7f did not work out in previous seasons. He's in the form of his life, though, at the age of 11, having won over 3m on heavy ground at Navan 19 days ago.

Form: P22131

Coastal Tiep^t⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 123

11/1

Pulled up in last year's 3m2½f Foxhunter at Cheltenham and that's the furthest he's been asked to race. Well treated on old form and this winter's form in hunter chases is not too shabby, third in a major race at Naas last time.

Form: P43-U53

Non-Runners

Biddy The Boss⁷⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: G P Cromwell J: Reserve 1

Victoria Bay²⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: C Bowe J: Reserve 2

Ah Littleluck¹⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: T Gibney J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Jimmil (9/2), Cheb De Kerviniou (9/2), Ifyoucatchmenow (11/2), The Red Menace (9/1), Coastal Tiep (11/1), General Principle (12/1), Out Sam (12/1), Its All Guesswork (12/1), Poormans Hill (14/1), Gun Digger (16/1), Biddy The Boss (16/1), Amaulino (20/1), Ah Littleluck (20/1), Space Cadet (25/1), Victoria Bay (25/1), Cappacurry Zak (28/1), Rocky's Silver (28/1), Call The Taxie (100/1)

Ifyoucatchmenow ran down her rivals late in the day in a very similar slog at Punchestown last time and it would not be a surprise to see her follow up. Cheb De Kerviniou, who was in close proximity that day, is a 10yo but has had just four starts for Gordon Elliott since arriving from France and there may be more improvement to come from him. Plenty of the others have not proved their stamina and an interesting option among that group is ITS ALL GUESSWORK, also trained by Elliott, who showed significant promise on occasions last season before suffering an injury in the Kim Muir. Poormans Hill (3-3 at Downpatrick) won this race in 2018 and Amaulino did so last year.