Jim And Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 33.4s

Pat Coyne³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J Queally| OR: 127| D

5/1

2 wins from 6 runs this season. 5/1, improved again when winning 11-runner handicap chase at Listowel (22f, good) 37 days ago, typically doing best work finish. Respected.

Form: 472311

Sargent Lightfoot^h³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: K C Sexton| T: A Murray| OR: 120| BF

5/1

2 wins from 5 runs this season, including on chase debut. 3/1, continued in good heart when second of 11 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (20f, soft) 30 days ago. Shortlisted now handicapping over fences.

Form: 4-14412

Optional Mix⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Gainford| T: E Doyle| OR: 116| D

5/4

Another good effort when second of 9 in handicap chase (7/2) at Limerick (19.4f, soft) 7 days ago, rallying well run-in. Can resume winning ways.

Form: 6714-22

Handsworth^p²³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 113| D

8/1

Latest win in chase at Naas in January. 13/2, rare poor effort when seventh of 10 in handicap chase at Navan (17f, heavy). Off 7 months. Could bounce back with Blackmore now on board.

Form: 214157-

Presenting Point^b³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: E O'Grady| OR: 110| D

14/1

Latest win in chase at Tramore in April. 7/1, stepped up on recent run when third of 15 in handicap hurdle at Clonmel (24.2f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Can give his running again back over fences.

Form: 1-P2343

Good As Hell^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Niall Moore⁽⁷⁾| T: P Fenton| OR: 106| CD

13/2

Latest win in chase at Tipperary at beginning of the month. 10/1, well-beaten fourth of 8 in novice chase at Cork (17.6f, heavy) 14 days ago. Others look stronger.

Form: 063414

Weihnachts^p,t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Simon Torrens| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 106

11/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. Continued below form when thirteenth of 15 in handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, good to soft, 33/1) 55 days ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 69-6520

Forecasts

Optional Mix (5/4), Pat Coyne (5/1), Sargent Lightfoot (5/1), Good As Hell (13/2), Handsworth (8/1), Weihnachts (11/1), Presenting Point (14/1)

OPTIONAL MIX has taken well to chasing, opening her account at the third attempt last season and showing improved form when runner-up both starts of the current campaign. She can resume winning ways, though Pat Coyne is respected in his bid for a hat-trick. Sargent Lightfoot completes the shortlist.