McCarthys Irish Bar Lexington Handicap Chase

Useful winner at 22f over hurdles but has shown very little in a trio of starts in maiden chases. May do better now handicapping.

Should have won this race last season, just failing to reel in winner after making error at last. Shaped as if needing run when well-beaten tenth of 12 to Balinaboola Steel in handicap chase at Limerick (22f, good) 25 days ago and has good chance if coming on for that.

Benefited from good ride to score at Limerick over fences on penultimate outing but was below form over hurdles at Galway last time. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

C&D winner. Two wins from 4 runs last season. 9/1, bit below form 26¼ lengths seventh of 12 to Balinaboola Steel in handicap chase at Limerick (22f, good) 25 days ago. Best form gives him a chance.

C&D winner also to score over fences at Limerick on penultimate start. Tailed off when pulled up before 2 out in handicap hurdle (11/4) at Cartmel (25.4f, soft) 49 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. More needed from this mark.

C&D winner shaped at Downpatrick on most recent chase start and ran respectably third of 9 in handicap hurdle (3/1) at Killarney (20f, good) 31 days ago. Player back over the larger obstacles.

Below form sixth of 11 in handicap chase (10/1) at Wexford (20f, soft) 44 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Very good third of 11 in handicap chase at Limerick (19.7f, good, 20/1) 25 days ago. Tongue strap back on. Progressing recently and longer trip promises to bring out further improvement.

Stepped up on comeback run when fourth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Killarney (20f, good) 30 days ago. Still had little racing over fences and he could be interesting if taking another step forward.