16:35 Leopardstown

Monday 6 March 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 5m 46.10s

Francois²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr B Dunleavy⁽⁴⁾| T: Mary Ellen Doyle| OR: 114

6/1

Fairly useful winner at 20f over hurdles. 7/1, third of 10 in novice chase at Thurles (16.4f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Significantly back up in trip now handicapping in this sphere.

Form: 190503

Presenting Point^b²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: John Aherne⁽⁴⁾| T: B O'Keeffe| OR: 111| D

16/1

First run since leaving Eoghan O'Grady when creditable third of 15 in handicap hurdle (6/1) at Thurles (22.8f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Place possibilities.

Form: 234333

Galon De Vauzelle^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B O Walsh| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 107| D

5/2

Good second of 17 in handicap chase at Navan (24f, good to soft, 10/1) 22 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 462342

Super Citizen^p⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan O'Sullivan⁽⁴⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 106| CD

5/1

C&D winner. 10/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Thurles (21.7f, soft) 43 days ago, ridden circuit out.

Form: 45777P

Arverne^b⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr J Dunne| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 103

7/2

Latest win in chase at Kilbeggan in July. 15/2, creditable third of 7 in handicap chase at Down Royal (24f, soft) 41 days ago. Shortlist material.

Form: 614243

Hymie Weiss²⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Pat Taaffe| T: N Meade| OR: 102

13/2

Fifth of 15 in novice chase at Limerick (22.7f, good, 33/1). Off 9 months. Makes handicap chase debut.

Form: 8306-85

Battle Of Mirbat¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr A P Ryan| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 97

7/1

125/1, ninth of 16 in novice chase at Gowran (20f, heavy) 16 days ago. Makes handicap chase debut. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 232359

Hollybank King³³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Anna McGuinness⁽⁴⁾| T: S McConville| OR: 78

50/1

One win from 22 NH runs. 50/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Ayr (16.5f, soft) 33 days ago, dropping away early in straight. Up in trip.

Form: 07779P

Wee Small Hours^t⁴¹

Age: 14| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr S Connor| T: M Rice| OR: 78

25/1

Didn't need to improve to win 12-runner handicap chase (6/1) at Down Royal (20f, soft) 41 days ago, just holding on. Looks vulnerable off revised mark.

Form: 46-7961

Non-Runners

Hoke Colburn⁹³

Weight: 12-1| Age: 11

T: B McMahon J: Mr E Mahon

Forecasts

Galon De Vauzelle (5/2), Arverne (7/2), Super Citizen (5/1), Francois (6/1), Hymie Weiss (13/2), Battle Of Mirbat (7/1), Hoke Colburn (8/1), Presenting Point (16/1), Wee Small Hours (25/1), Hollybank King (50/1)

The combination of this drop in trip and the drying ground should help ARVERNE, who hasn't quite got home over 3m the last twice. He remains on a fair mark and gets the nod ahead of Galon de Vauzelle, who went close for the second time over fences when just touched off at Navan last month and another bold show is anticipated. The consistent Presenting Point should make his presence felt and Hoke Colburn makes some each-way appeal.