17:08 Navan

Saturday 23 March 2024

All14:1714:5015:2515:5816:3317:0817:38

Kilberry Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 54.0s

Dutch Schultz^h³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 116| D

3/1

Fairly useful winner at 14f on flat. 8/1, excellent second of 10 in handicap chase at Clonmel (16.4f, heavy) 37 days ago, suited by way race developed. Hood back on. Shortlist material.

Form: 1F3762

Hardwired^b,t⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: T M Walsh| OR: 111

15/2

3 wins from 5 runs this season. Career best when winning 6-runner handicap chase (11/4) at Punchestown (22.7f, soft) 69 days ago, driven out. Respected once more down in trip

Form: 7-171B1

De Lady In Red^t⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: B Connell| OR: 109| D

3/1

Fairly useful winner at 20f over hurdles. Creditable fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (21.2f, heavy, 15/2) 59 days ago, every chance 3 out and weakening. Worth a another try at this shorter trip.

Form: 8-04544

Bigz Belief^b,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B W Harvey| T: M J Smith| OR: 108| C

14/1

Fair winner at 18f over hurdles. Fifth of 6 in novice chase at Gowran (20f, heavy, 100/1) 35 days ago. Blinkers back on. Makes handicap chase debut.

Form: 1780U5

Noble Blue^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P Nolan| OR: 105

4/1

Respectable fifth of 10 in handicap chase at Gowran (20f, heavy, 9/2) 35 days ago, likely to have finished but for a late error. Remains low mileage and he's not out of things dropping back in trip.

Form: 482435

Politicise^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Ewing| T: N Slevin| OR: 102

8/1

Twenty five runs since last win in 2020. 16/1, respectable eighth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (20f, heavy) 14 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase.

Form: 573638

Mighty Oak Lad⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 101| BF

12/1

Winner in hurdle at Fairyhouse in January. 11/10, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (24f, heavy) 56 days ago, ridden 3 out. Market best guide now making chase debut.

Form: 80-001P

Joke Dancer^t¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P Griffin| OR: 97| D

9/1

Unreliable type. Eleven runs since last win in 2022. Fell in handicap chase at Taunton (16f, soft, 12/1) 12 days ago, in rearing when falling fifth. Others more persuasive overall.

Form: 56P-P3F

Non-Runners

Jacksons Gold¹³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 10

T: Ms Alice Curran J: J G Gilligan

Forecasts

Dutch Schultz (3/1), De Lady In Red (3/1), Noble Blue (4/1), Hardwired (15/2), Politicise (8/1), Joke Dancer (9/1), Mighty Oak Lad (12/1), Bigz Belief (14/1), Jacksons Gold (16/1)

DUTCH SCHULTZ ran his best race yet in this sphere when runner-up on his handicap debut at Clonmel 37 days ago and he could just be worth chancing to back that up now and go one place better. Hardwired, who is enjoying a good spell, is feared, with De Lady In Red and Noble Blue also considered.