13:15 Thurles

Thursday 30 November 2023

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Racing Again Sunday, December 17th Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 5m 44.00s

Dundaniel⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J C Barry⁽³⁾| T: M Kennedy| OR: 111| BF

3/1

Made a successful start under Rules in straightforward fashion in hunter at Cork in April. 3/1, ran well when fifth of 11 in handicap chase at same course (21f, soft) 4 days ago. In the mix provided this doesn't come too soon.

Form: P11-325

Ardera Ru^p,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 109| BF| C| D

7/1

Course winner last month. 6/1, not in same form from 9 lb higher when sixth of 12 in handicap chase at Naas (20f, soft) 18 days ago.

Form: 1312-16

Slige Dala^p,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: P T Foley| OR: 109

18/1

Nineteen runs since last win in 2020. Found run of good form coming to a halt when pulled up in handicap chase (17/2) at Clonmel (20.7f, heavy) 5 weeks ago. Must bounce back.

Form: 46534P

Toofareastiswest^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jordan Gainford| T: A O'Grady| OR: 106

10/1

Fair winner at 21f over hurdles. Tongue strap on for 1st time, took a step back in right direction when fifth of 14 in handicap chase (22/1) at this course (18.4f, soft) 7 days ago. Must build on that now.

Form: 1/4F-695

Reddys Island¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 97

6/4

Creditable third of 14 in handicap chase (10/3) at Down Royal (24f, soft) 19 days ago. Stable in red-hot form and Jack Kennedy on board for the first time.

Form: 79/77-23

Black Samurai^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: S Aherne| OR: 95

17/2

18/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, turned in best effort of the season when third of 11 in handicap chase at Punchestown (24.7f, soft) 2 weeks ago, bad mistake 2 out.

Form: 8/80763

Dorans River^p⁷¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-8| J: Simon Torrens| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 91| D

16/1

3 wins from 8 runs this season. 6/1, perhaps found race coming too soon after just 5 days off when sixth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Listowel (24f, soft) 71 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Can cash in on his lower chase mark after a break.

Form: 311316

Getaway Train^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: D Hassett| OR: 88

18/1

Pulled up in handicap hurdle (9/1) at Ballinrobe (22.1f, good) 6 months ago, weakening before last. Makes chase/handicap debut.

Form: 0098-9P

Glenmalure Lodge^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 87

12/1

Belatedly shed maiden tag over fences at Ballinrobe (23f) in September. Below form seventh of 12 in handicap chase at Naas (20f, soft, 16/1) 18 days ago.

Form: 523137

Forecasts

Reddys Island (6/4), Dundaniel (3/1), Ardera Ru (7/1), Black Samurai (17/2), Toofareastiswest (10/1), Glenmalure Lodge (12/1), Dorans River (16/1), Slige Dala (18/1), Getaway Train (18/1)

A few in with a squeak but the vote goes to DORANS RIVER, who was clearly in great heart despite his advancing years during the summer and operating from a much lower chase mark returning from a break, he can notch a fourth success of the year. Gordon Elliott couldn't be in much better form and his Reddys Island can chase home the selection, ahead of Dundaniel and Ardera Ru.