Latin Quarter Beginners Chase

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 4m 32.3s

Flaming Moon⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: M J Smith| C

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler who won listed novice event at this meeting 12 months ago. However, below best in that sphere during second half of last year and disappointing on the level in recent starts. Needs to get back on track now attentions switch to chasing.

Form: 5F1280-

Mars Harper^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 131

13/2

Useful over hurdles and similar form at best over fences without tasting success. Fell at the first returning from 3 months off in Midlands National at Kilbeggan (25f) 18 days ago but return to pick of her form should see her thereabouts.

Form: 49206-F

Pale Blue Dot¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D King⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 101

50/1

Fair hurdler. One win from 24 NH runs. Respectable fifth of 11 in handicap hurdle (12/1) at Killarney (22.8f, good) 11 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Likely to fall short.

Form: 8-5U035

Shackleton Island⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R P Geoghegan⁽⁷⁾| T: I Madden

200/1

Pulled up both starts in points. Poor maiden over hurdles, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (24.4f) 6 weeks ago. Hard to make a case for now sent chasing.

Form: 9P/0-0PP

Sharjah^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF| C

1/4

Very smart hurdler (twice a runner-up in Champion Hurdle). Arrives here having run well when 2¾ lengths second of 13 to Fils D'oudairies in Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary (2m) 26 days ago and this looks a good opening for him making chase debut.

Form: 32424-2

Walnut Beach²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S Fitzgerald| T: P J Flynn

15/2

Fairly useful chaser. Creditable third of 11 in handicap at Tramore (16f, good to soft, 5/2) 21 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Switches from Flat to chase and no surprise to see him in the mix.

Form: 300-522

Intersky Sunset¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: K C Sexton| T: D Queally

125/1

Point winner but little to shout about under Rules and got no further than the second in mares' maiden chase at Kilbeggan (19f) 11 days ago (saddle slipped). Another who can only be watched.

Form: 9/3210-P

Forecasts

Sharjah (1/4), Mars Harper (13/2), Walnut Beach (15/2), Flaming Moon (11/1), Pale Blue Dot (50/1), Intersky Sunset (125/1), Shackleton Island (200/1)

A tremendous campaigner for connections, SHARJAH comes here on the back of a good second in a Grade 3 hurdle at Tipperary 26 days ago and this looks a good opportunity for Willie Mullins' veteran now his attentions switch to chasing. Mars Harper and Walnut Beach can do battle for minor honours.