Boyne Cup (Handicap Chase)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 8.87s

Real Steel^p1,t⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137

11/1

Dual 2½m Grade 2 winner for Willie Mullins in Ireland during 2019/20 campaign. Operating well below that level nowadays, but he has fallen a long way in the weights and now has his sights lowered and first-time cheekpieces added.

Form: 3PP-07P

Bobhopeornohope^p,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 135| CD

2/1

Got the better of a dual subsequent winner when opening chase account in first-time cheekpieces at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. Added to that with an all-the-way C&D success last month and big player despite 8 lb rise.

Form: P34131

Rocco^p⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134| D

10/1

Ended losing run when popping up at odds of 40/1 in the Badger Beer at Wincanton in November. Has slipped back to that winning mark following a couple of listless subsequent efforts and definite chance if able to bounce back.

Form: 6-241PP

Head To The Stars²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 133| CD

6/1

All-or-nothing profile, but has struck three times over this C&D, the latest in December, and good second back at this venue last month. Slower ground would be preferable, though.

Form: 1P-3162

Tide Times⁵^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 112| CD

5/4

Looked better than ever when accounting for four rivals over this C&D last week, opening his chase account in the process. Drying conditions won't be an issue and he needs considering under a penalty.

Form: 2P3421

Forecasts

Tide Times (5/4), Bobhopeornohope (2/1), Head To The Stars (6/1), Rocco (10/1), Real Steel (11/1)

REAL STEEL's recent form figures admittedly make for grim reading but, competitive though this five-runner affair is, it would be one of the least taxing assignments that he has faced to date and the handicapper has given him a real chance. The first-time cheekpieces and drying ground here are other potentially positive factors and, all things considered, he is worth chancing. Recent C&D winner Tide Times and Bobhopeornohope are feared most in that order of preference.