17:00 Fairyhouse

Monday 1 April 2024

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2017:0017:4018:10

BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 8m 39.80s

Minella Cocooner²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| BF

20/1

Smart winner at 22f over hurdles (second in the 2022 Albert Bartlett) and similar form over fences, although disappointed with his finishing effort when fancied for the Leinster National at Naas 22 days ago.

Form: 2/2-3136

Churchstonewarrior⁹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: Jonathan Sweeney| OR: 147

50/1

Smart chaser. Has failed to complete in 2 good 3m events this term but will appreciate return to good staying handicap like this after a break.

Form: 2221-UP

Nick Rockett⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| C

4/1

Rapidly developed into a smart novice hurdler last spring (won Grade 2 at this meeting) and has taken well to fences on return, winning Fairyhouse maiden and second in 3m Navan Grade 3. More to come over this marathon trip and will relish conditions. Leading claims.

Form: 111-412

Favori De Champdou⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

14/1

Winner of 3 of his 6 starts over hurdles and impressive when taking the Florida Pearl at Punchestown in November. Not so good twice since though and revival needed now handicapping over new trip.

Form: P4-2154

Senior Chief⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 141

10/1

Useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences in workmanlike fashion at Punchestown (22.8f, heavy) 43 days ago, taking a while to find top gear off what was a very steady gallop. Remains with both untapped potential and stamina (will stay further than 3m) and can go well.

Form: 113-321

Any Second Now^b²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR: 140| C

14/1

One-time top-class chaser, placed in Grand National at Aintree in 2021 (unlucky) and 2022. Down the field in valuable handicap chases this season (well held over hurdles latest), though has dropped plenty in the weights as a result and been well backed for this in recent weeks.

Form: 1P-7867

Intense Raffles³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: T Gibney| OR: 140| C

13/2

Made it 2-2 for new yard here in 4-runner novice chase (4/6, 25.4f, heavy) 37 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Could be smart and one to note now handicapping.

Form: 435-711

Yeah Man^p⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 140

8/1

Been in excellent form this season, in 1st-time cheekpieces when winning 10-runner Grand National Trial (Handicap) at Haydock (28.4f, heavy, 9/2) 44 days ago, value extra. Can go well again.

Form: 10-2F21

Diol Ker^b²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Kieren Buckley| T: G Elliott| OR: 139| C

80/1

Useful hurdler/chaser. Thirteen runs since last win in 2022. Well-beaten tenth of 12 to Hartur D'arc in handicap chase at Naas (24.8f, heavy, 12/1) 22 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 5F8760

Dunboyne^p,t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

40/1

Unreliable type. Tongue strap on for 1st time, pulled up in handicap chase at Punchestown (27f, heavy, 33/1) 43 days ago won by Where It All Began, again folding tamely. Hard to fancy on that showing.

Form: 24P-4PP

Hartur D'arc²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 137

20/1

Has done well for new yard, career best when winning 12-runner handicap chase (4/1) at Naas (24.8f, heavy) 22 days ago, bit in hand. Could have even more to offer and 1 of 2 strong contenders for yard.

Form: 032311

Frontal Assault^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Carl Millar⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

25/1

Second in this in 2022 and better effort than for a while when 11¾ lengths fourth of 12 to Hartur d'Arc in handicap chase at Naas (24.8f, heavy) 22 days ago. 7 lb conditional up.

Form: 754904

Where It All Began^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

16/1

Showed much improved form to open his account as a chaser in 15-runner handicap at Punchestown (27f, heavy) in February. Fair fourth in the Kim Muir 18 days ago and remains unexposed in these sort of events. The pick of Kennedy from Elliott's seven.

Form: P-53214

Cool Survivor¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott| OR: 134

50/1

Useful winner at 24f over hurdles. Went close in Limerick maiden chase on return but hasn't kicked on since, let down by jumping in the Kim Muir 18 days ago.

Form: F-24440

Good Time Jonny^t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: A J Martin| OR: 132

10/1

Took the Pertemps Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Yet to score in this sphere but he has caught the eye under a patient ride on his last two outings. Interesting up in trip.

Form: 14-9053

Street Value^p,t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: J P Flavin| OR: 130| C

33/1

C&D winner in December but has failed to complete the last twice, pulled up in handicap chase at Punchestown (27f, heavy) 43 days ago won by Where It All Began. Hard to fancy now.

Form: 3P13PP

Daily Present^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 127| C

16/1

Tongue tied and left previous chasing efforts well behind switched to a handicap when scoring at Down Royal (3m) in January. Well backed and shaped as if still in good form when fifth in the Kim Muir next time.

Form: P/47715

We'llhavewan^t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: K Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 123| BF

13/2

Career best when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle at Navan (25.2f, heavy) in December. 5/4, good 16 lengths second of 15 to Where It All Began in handicap chase at Punchestown (27f, heavy) 43 days ago. Could have more to offer over fences.

Form: 691612

Where's Frankie²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: K Thornton| OR: 123| C

16/1

13/2, career best when winning 11-runner handicap chase at Leopardstown (28.3f, soft) 29 days ago, keeping on well. Stacks of course form but suspect he just lacks the class for a race like this.

Form: 339121

History Of Fashion^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Richard Condon⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Fahy| OR: 120

50/1

Eighteen runs since sole win under Rules in 2022. 21½ lengths eighth of 12 to Hartur d'Arc in handicap chase (33/1) at Naas (24.8f, heavy) 22 days ago, left poorly placed. Tricky to fancy.

Form: 6P52P8

Non-Runners

Royal Thief²²

Weight: 10-3| Age: 10

T: G Elliott J: Kevin Sexton

Forecasts

Nick Rockett (4/1), Intense Raffles (13/2), We'llhavewan (13/2), Yeah Man (8/1), Senior Chief (10/1), Good Time Jonny (10/1), Any Second Now (14/1), Favori De Champdou (14/1), Where It All Began (16/1), Daily Present (16/1), Where's Frankie (16/1), Minella Cocooner (20/1), Hartur D'arc (20/1), Frontal Assault (25/1), Street Value (33/1), Dunboyne (40/1), History Of Fashion (50/1), Cool Survivor (50/1), Churchstonewarrior (50/1), Royal Thief (66/1), Diol Ker (80/1)

The novices usually come to the fore in Ireland's premier handicap chase and NICK ROCKETT can give Willie Mullins another victory. A smart hurdler, he's taken really well to chasing this term and has more improvement to come when stamina is at a premium, as it will be here. Senior Chief boasts a similar profile and is a big player. Good Time Jonny is yet to show all he's capable of over fences, while Gavin Cromwell has a strong hand with Hartur d'Arc and Haydock-winner Yeah Man.