19:15 Galway

Friday 31 July 2020

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Arthur Guinness Chase

Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 5m 38.06s

Blazer²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

16/5

One of a few in this race who contested the Galway Plate on Wednesday, so are not definite runners. Finished seventh in that contest, and would prefer this to be a handicap given he is up against higher-rated rivals with graded form to their name.

Form: 30/540-7

Call The Taxie^p¹³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 123

125/1

Pulled-up on each of his last three starts and as if he didn't have enough to prove, this is his first start for four-months. Gone well fresh before, but impossible to recommend in current form and he has masses to find on these terms.

Form: 23/5PPP-

Livelovelaugh²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

3/1

Ran respectably when fading into sixth in the Plate on Wednesday, after racing handily throughout. Place claims at best if turning up in similar form since he is yet to win in open company over fences.

Form: 0/2008-6

Mengli Khan^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

7/2

Took advantage of a good opportunity to score at Kilbeggan (2m4f; good to yielding) recently. Will need to be in better form than he was when last running over fences, but may have confidence back now so can't be discounted.

Form: 46333-1

Moonshine Bay^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 136

10/1

Moderate strike-rate over fences (1-10) and has a fair bit to find with the leading contenders on ratings. Would need to improve a fair bit on the form of his sixth-placed effort when making return to action at Kilbeggan (3m1f; good to yielding).

Form: 44/064-6

Sub Lieutenant^p,t²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| CD

9/1

Latest couple of efforts suggest his best days are behind him. C&D winner finished 14th in the Plate two days ago. Not sure to take up this engagement, but he would be hard to fancy if he does given how poorly he ran then.

Form: 2P2/74-0

The Storyteller²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| BF| D

10/3

Uncertain runner. Pulled-up at an early stage in the Plate on Wednesday when he never went a yard. Talented horse on his day though (Cheltenham Festival winner), so foolish to rule out if back to himself in this smaller field.

Form: 88162-P

Non-Runners

Robin Des Foret²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 10

T: W P Mullins J: Paul Townend

Kupatana²¹³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: H De Bromhead J: B J Cooper

Forecasts

Livelovelaugh (3/1), Blazer (16/5), The Storyteller (10/3), Mengli Khan (7/2), Robin Des Foret (7/2), Sub Lieutenant (9/1), Moonshine Bay (10/1), Kupatana (14/1), Call The Taxie (125/1)

With there still being an element of uncertainty as to how many of the will turn up after their participation in the Galway Plate, we'll go with MENGLI KHAN who regained the winning thread over hurdles last time out. His rating of 150 gives him a solid chance and although his form tailed off over the larger obstacles last year, he was a smart novice and should now have his confidence back. The Storyteller is officially 8lb clear of his nearest rival (Mengli Khan) on ratings, but would need to bounce back from his no show in the Plate on Wednesday. Livelovelaugh & Robin Des Foret ran well in that contest and would also have claims if turning up.