12:48 Punchestown

Saturday 25 November 2023

All11:4012:1312:4813:2313:5814:3515:0815:43

Conway Piling Beginners Chase

Off time: 12:48 | Winning time: 5m 0.30s

An Epic Song^h²¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| CD

18/1

Useful hurdler who posted a career-best effort when just touched off in last season's Coral Cup (21f) at the Festival. Not in quite the same form here (19f) the following month and the betting may prove a useful guide now attentions switch to chasing.

Form: 81/0029-

Bushmans Pass³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan

250/1

Bumper winner on Rules debut for Michael Shannery during spring of last year but well beaten in maiden hurdle/2 tries over fences for this stable. Can only be watched.

Form: 54/10-59

Cool Survivor³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| C

8/1

Promising type. Second of 10 in novice chase at Limerick (19f, heavy, 7/4) on debut over fences 34 days ago, edged out near finish but well clear of remainder. Fancied to be in the mix.

Form: 1240F-2

Daily Present¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| D

100/1

Useful winner at 2ff over hurdles during 2021/22 campaign. However, very lightly raced since and rates a likely type for handicaps in this sphere judged on his pair of efforts in maiden chase company in recent weeks.

Form: 211P/47

Figaroc²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

40/1

Fairly useful winner at 19f over hurdles. Carried out in handicap hurdle at this course (16.2f, good to soft, 12/1) in April. Overall profile over hurdles was a positive one but he may well have to settle for a minor role on chasing bow.

Form: 2/P814C-

Gaelic Warrior²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| C

4/11

Smart hurdler. Career best when winning 9-runner War of Attrition Novices' Hurdle (4/5) at this course (23.8f, good to soft) by 10 lengths from Affordale Fury, forging clear. Very exciting chase prospect.

Form: 2/11121-

Inothewayurthinkin^t1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: G P Cromwell

4/1

Promising individual. Second of 11 in novice chase at Fairyhouse (16.5f, heavy, 11/4) on debut over fences 18 days ago, staying on strongly from the last. Step back up in trip promises to suit and he's open to improvement.

Form: 11434-2

One Horse Army²⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: P Roche

250/1

Modest hurdler. 14/1, ninth of 15 in novice chase at Thurles (20.9f, soft) on debut over fences in March, always behind. This a very stiff task on return to action and low-grade handicaps will be more his bag in this sphere.

Form: 000/839-

Senior Chief²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| CD

9/1

Point winner/Useful dual scorer at 22f over hurdles. 10/3, creditable third of 12 in minor event hurdle at this course (19.8f, good to soft). Off 7 months. Good prospect now chasing.

Form: 12/2113-

Celebrating Katie¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Simon Torrens| T: N C Kelly

250/1

Last of 9 in novice chase at Down Royal (19.6f, soft, 200/1) 15 days ago, always behind. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 690-0U9

Soldaro^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| D

125/1

Promising individual. Fair winner at 19f over hurdles. 28/1, sixth of 9 in novice chase at Down Royal (19.6f, soft) 15 days ago. Should have more to offer in this sphere but handicaps likely to be more her bag.

Form: 4119-86

Non-Runners

Shanbally Kid²⁵³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: M J M O'Sullivan

Forecasts

Gaelic Warrior (4/11), Inothewayurthinkin (4/1), Cool Survivor (8/1), Senior Chief (9/1), Shanbally Kid (16/1), An Epic Song (18/1), Figaroc (40/1), Daily Present (100/1), Soldaro (125/1), Celebrating Katie (250/1), Bushmans Pass (250/1), One Horse Army (250/1)

GAELIC WARRIOR landed 4 of his 5 starts over hurdles last term, runner-up in the Ballymore at Cheltenham prior to bagging Grade 1 glory himself here in April. An exciting prospect for his all-conquering yard, he looks the way to go on chase debut. Inothewayurthinkin and Cool Survivor, both of whom boast chase experience, rate the chief threats, with Senior Chief and An Epic Song others to keep an eye on.