14:10 Punchestown

Sunday 19 February 2023

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:55

QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 7m 56.5s

Diol Ker^b⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 149

10/1

40/1 and blinkered for 1st time, good second of 28 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 54 days ago, finishing strongly. Well in the mix.

Form: 410-922

Coko Beach^b²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: B W Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 146| C

7/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. 12/1, good fourth of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, heavy) 24 days ago, benefiting from return to positive tactics. Can make presence felt.

Form: 448-944

Death Duty⁵⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| CD

15/2

Pulled up soon after bad error 12th in handicap chase (14/1) at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 54 days ago. Took this event 12 months ago and no surprise if he bounced back in style for yard with excellent record in this contest.

Form: 6U0-U3P

Milan Native^p1,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

80/1

Arrives below par, fifth of 6 in minor event chase at Fairyhouse (23.6f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 09P/P-F5

Defi Bleu^p,t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

25/1

25/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, heavy) 24 days ago, pulled up early in straight. More is required.

Form: P-6280P

Champagne Platinum^p⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Simon Torrens| T: E Bolger| OR: 135

12/1

Twelfth of 17 in minor event chase at this course (24.8f, good to soft, 10/1) 91 days ago. A big step forward is required from this one-time useful chaser.

Form: 78F-800

Captain Kangaroo^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: J B Foley| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132| D

50/1

Reported breathing problem when pulled up in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, heavy, 20/1) 24 days ago, pulled up early final circuit. Yard in good form but others more persuasive.

Form: 421UFP

Stones And Roses⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| C

14/1

Course winner. Pulled up in handicap chase (66/1) at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 54 days ago, pulled up before last. Stable in good form so could bounce back.

Form: 1/4U59-P

Angels Dawn²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Cian Quirke⁽⁷⁾| T: S Curling| OR: 128

15/8

Career best when winning 7-runner handicap chase (5/2) at Down Royal (24f, soft) 26 days ago. Up 6 lb but on the up and has to be taken seriously over this longer trip with promising 7 lb claimer again in the saddle.

Form: 5-B8421

Notice To Close^p,t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: J J Slevin| T: S Neville| OR: 124| C

9/1

Creditable third of 10 in handicap chase (5/1) at this course (22.7f, heavy) 35 days ago. Back up in trip. Cheekpieces back on. Can give a good account.

Form: 006-413

Whatsnotoknow^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 122

5/1

Off 8 months before encouraging third of 8 in handicap chase at Naas (20.4f, soft, 11/2) 21 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Trainer going well. One to consider.

Form: 5470-43

Portstorm^p,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁷⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 116

10/1

One win from 21 NH runs. Creditable sixth of 17 in handicap chase (11/1) at Navan (24f, good to soft) 7 days ago. Twelve runs since last win in 2020, though.

Form: B-065U6

Forecasts

Angels Dawn (15/8), Whatsnotoknow (5/1), Coko Beach (7/1), Death Duty (15/2), Notice To Close (9/1), Portstorm (10/1), Diol Ker (10/1), Champagne Platinum (12/1), Stones And Roses (14/1), Defi Bleu (25/1), Captain Kangaroo (50/1), Milan Native (80/1)

ANGELS DAWN arrives on the up so is taken to defy a 6 lb rise in the weights and follow up his Down Royal success over this longer trip. Gordon Elliott has an excellent record in this event and last year's winner Death Duty rates a big threat. In-form pair Diol Ker and Coko Beach complete the shortlist.