15:47 Downpatrick

Sunday 21 March 2021

All14:1014:4515:1715:4716:2216:5217:22

Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 7m 26.3s

Amaulino^p,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Derek McGrath⁽⁷⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 131| CD

22/1

Winless since taking this in 2019 but he was also second last year. No significant impact this term but this doubtless been the target all along.

Form: 67074P

Space Cadet^b³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁷⁾| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 131| CD

17/2

Won this off 4 lb lower last year. Warmed up for this with creditable 6½ lengths third of 17 to Shady Operator in cross-country event at Punchestown (25f, heavy) 35 days ago. Blinkers back on

Form: PF51-03

Dream Conti^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 130

28/1

50/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, pulled up in handicap chase at Leopardstown (21.4f, soft) 42 days ago, weakening after 2 out. Significantly up in trip.

Form: P/1-3PPP

Nick Lost³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 129

12/1

Good third on Thurles return but went backwards from that when pulled up at Punchestown since.

Form: 2366/3P

Shady Operator³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger| OR: 129

11/4

Didn't need to be at best when winning 17-runner cross-country event at Punchestown (25f, heavy, evens) 35 days ago, with Space Cadet behind in third. On a favourable mark.

Form: 389-651

High Sparrow^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 127

22/1

Third of 4 in novice chase at Fairyhouse (25.5f, heavy, 9/4) 22 days ago. Stable in good form. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 03P473

Kruzhlinin^p,t¹⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Gainford⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 126

15/2

Tongue strap on for 1st time cheekpieces on for 1st time, improved to win 13-runner handicap chase at Navan (24f, soft, 12/1) 15 days ago, easily. 8 lb rise unlikely to prevent him going well again.

Form: 111-241

Mon Lino^b¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 124

15/2

Creditable third of 14 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (20f, heavy, 11/1) 19 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Significantly back up in trip. Blinkers back on. Others more persuasive.

Form: 3-52P23

Frankly All Talk^b1,t1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Brian Hayes| T: R K Watson| OR: 122

50/1

50/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Gowran (20f, heavy) 19 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Blinkers on 1st time, tongue strap on 1st time. Would need to see market support to consider.

Form: 5-854PP

Flinck^h1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: D F O'Regan| T: C A McBratney| OR: 120

50/1

100/1, first run since leaving Philip Hobbs when ninth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy) 22 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Significantly up in trip. Hooded for 1st time.

Form: 5-37879

Cushinstown Finest^p²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Bowe| OR: 117| C

28/1

Latest win in chase at Punchestown in October. 11/8, creditable third of 6 in novice chase at Thurles (21.7f, heavy) 24 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 512433

Er Dancer^b1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Foley⁽⁵⁾| T: S Doyle| OR: 116

10/1

Thrice-raced winner in chases. Fourth of 15 in hunter chase at Thurles (24.9f, heavy, 25/1) 24 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time. Makes handicap chase debut. Merits consideration.

Form: 121204

Dubai Devils^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: P Stafford| OR: 115

12/1

Latest win in chase at Fairyhouse in February. Creditable third of 11 in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy, 7/2) 28 days ago.

Form: 73B213

Askann^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: B Browne⁽³⁾| T: M Torrens| OR: 113

16/1

15½ lengths seventh of 9 to Fiveaftermidnight in handicap chase at Navan (20f, soft, 15/2) 15 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 9-32337

Fag An Bealach^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: A L T Moore| OR: 112| C

17/2

Course winner. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, creditable 10½ lengths fifth of 9 to Fiveaftermidnight in handicap chase (11/1) at Navan (20f, soft) 15 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 4176P5

Non-Runners

Classic Concorde⁷

Weight: 10-3| Age: 8

T: A McNamara J: Reserve 1

Horendus Hulabaloo³⁹⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 12

T: D M Christie J: Reserve 2

Fiveaftermidnight¹⁵

Weight: 10-1| Age: 8

T: P J Rothwell J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Shady Operator (11/4), Classic Concorde (6/1), Fiveaftermidnight (6/1), Mon Lino (15/2), Kruzhlinin (15/2), Fag An Bealach (17/2), Space Cadet (17/2), Er Dancer (10/1), Dubai Devils (12/1), Nick Lost (12/1), Askann (16/1), High Sparrow (22/1), Amaulino (22/1), Dream Conti (28/1), Cushinstown Finest (28/1), Flinck (50/1), Horendus Hulabaloo (50/1), Frankly All Talk (50/1)

SHADY OPERATOR is well treated on his best form over regulation fences and is taken to confirm recent Punchestown cross-country superiority over last year's winner Space Cadet, who looks primed for another bold bid. Amaulino has finished first and second in the last 2 runnings so is a must for the shortlist along with Kruzhlinin.