16:15 Limerick

Sunday 22 October 2023

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 6m 27.0s

Coko Beach^b¹⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

20/1

Pulled up in Grand National (28/1) at Aintree (34.3f, good), dropping away from 4 out. Off 6 months. Significantly back down in trip and probably worth taking on.

Form: 8/9441P-

Run Wild Fred^b³⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| BF| C| D

14/1

8/11, 30¾ lengths third of 4 to Noble Yeats in listed chase at Wexford (23f, heavy), folding. Off 11 months but will be a threat if fully tuned-up.

Form: 22FF/23-

The Goffer^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

4/1

12/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, creditable fifth of 17 in handicap chase at Listowel (24f, soft) 32 days ago. Shortlist material.

Form: 14P4-85

A Wave Of The Sea^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 141

11/2

Thirteen runs since last win in 2022. 12/1, fifteenth of 17 in handicap chase at Listowel (24f, soft) 32 days ago. 6 lb lower in the weights compared to when fourth in this race last year.

Form: 3P9-440

Frontal Assault^b¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

13/2

Last of 3 in minor event chase (8/1) at Galway (23f, heavy) 19 days ago but merits consideration all the same with Jack Kennedy aboard.

Form: 15366-3

Mars Harper^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 139

13/2

Two wins from 4 runs this season. Career best when winning 10-runner handicap chase (7/2) at Listowel (22f, soft) 29 days ago, easily. This is more demanding.

Form: 06-F211

Defi Bleu^p,t¹⁹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

14/1

Creditable third of 27 in handicap chase (28/1) at Fairyhouse (29f, soft), going with enthusiasm. Off 6 months. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 80P353-

Gevrey^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ricky Doyle| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| C

6/1

Course winner. Pulled up in handicap chase at Listowel (24f, soft, 13/2) 32 days ago. Claims if on-song this time.

Form: 4542-3P

Real Steel^p²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: C P McNamara| T: E McNamara| OR: 134| D

18/1

Creditable 20¼ lengths fourth of 10 to Mars Harper in handicap chase at Listowel (22f, soft, 16/1) 29 days ago, going in snatches. Must improve.

Form: 4210P-4

Cavalry Master^p,t⁵⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

40/1

Tongue strap on for 1st time cheekpieces on for 1st time, below form seventh of 13 in handicap chase at Punchestown (21.2f, good to soft, 14/1). First run for yard after leaving Henry De Bromhead.

Form: 111987/

Largy Debut²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 132| D

11/2

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. 10/3, creditable second of 8 in novice chase at Gowran (20f, heavy) 22 days ago. Each-way shout.

Form: 33229-2

The Little Yank⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 128

12/1

Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. 12/1, seventh of 10 in handicap chase at Cork (17.6f, good to soft) 7 days ago, left poorly placed. Significantly back up in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 636227

Non-Runners

Walk Away¹⁷¹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 10

T: H De Bromhead J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Goffer (4/1), Largy Debut (11/2), A Wave Of The Sea (11/2), Gevrey (6/1), Frontal Assault (13/2), Mars Harper (13/2), Walk Away (15/2), The Little Yank (12/1), Run Wild Fred (14/1), Defi Bleu (14/1), Real Steel (18/1), Coko Beach (20/1), Cavalry Master (40/1)

Gordon Elliott is mob-handed, fielding eight runners, but it's the Joseph O'Brien-trained A WAVE OF THE SEA who earns the vote. He didn't jump at all well at Listowel last time, but is a big player judged on solid efforts in a Tipperary Grade 3 and the Galway Plate during the summer, plus he's now 6 lb below the mark off which he finished fourth in this race 12 months ago. The Goffer, Frontal Assault and Gevrey, all members of the Elliott battalion, are feared most in that order of preference.