15:15 Limerick

Thursday 26 December 2024

All12:2512:5813:3314:0814:4015:1515:50

BRC McMahon Reinforcements Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 43.20s

Cahirdown Boy^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: C P McNamara| T: E McNamara| OR: 106| C

7/1

Gained first win over fences at Listowel in September. Not discredited both starts since, fifth of 7 in handicap chase at Thurles (22.4f, good, 5/1) 28 days ago. Return to this shorter trip should suit.

Form: 33-2155

Dream In The Park³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: E McNamara| OR: 106

7/2

Good second over hurdles here in October, but not in same form when sixteenth of 23 in handicap at Navan (22.4f, good to soft, 33/1) 39 days ago. Back down in trip as he makes first chase start for current yard.

Form: P4-P620

Itsalonglongroad^v²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Gavin Brouder⁽³⁾| T: C Coakley| OR: 106| D

22/1

Latest win in chase at Ballinrobe in September. Having rare start over hurdles, again raced freely when seventh of 18 in handicap at Thurles (16.2f, good, 18/1) 28 days ago. Could make a bold bid back chasing.

Form: 3F1P67

Sea Road Fill²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: D Collins| OR: 105

10/1

Remains a maiden after 19 NH runs. However, has made the frame both starts in handicap chases, fourth of 13 at Thurles (18.3f, good to soft, 15/2) 27 days ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 642734

Cheerful Chap^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J P O'Sullivan| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 104| BF| D

7/2

Fairly useful winner at 21f over hurdles. Has been running well over fences this season, third of 10 in handicap at Navan (16f, good to soft, 7/2) 11 days ago. Could be ready to open his chase account.

Form: 211-323

Johngus²¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr S Tobin⁽⁷⁾| T: S Aherne| OR: 104| C

16/1

Followed good run over fences with a below-par one when ninth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (20f, good to soft, 18/1) in May. Back chasing after 7 months off (won over hurdles at this meeting last year).

Form: 5403-59

Must Be Dreaming^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: John Shinnick⁽⁵⁾| T: G Ahern| OR: 100

20/1

Won handicap chase at Tramore in September. Stiff task when well-beaten sixth of 8 to Only By Night in Grade 2 mares novice at Cork (16.7f, good to soft, 150/1) 18 days ago. Others still preferred.

Form: 591556

Birdsandthebees^h²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁷⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 97| BF

11/2

Off the mark in handicap chase at Clonmel in October. Lesser effort when fifth of 13 in handicap at Thurles (18.3f, good to soft, 2/1) 27 days ago, but it remains early days for her over fences.

Form: 87-5515

Lough Nigara³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M A Daly| OR: 92

7/1

Modest maiden hurdler, placed twice in handicaps last season. After 7 months off, better for run when sixth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Tipperary (20.4f, soft, 16/1) 34 days ago. Makes chase debut.

Form: 80334-6

Thelonglad²⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Cian Quirke⁽⁵⁾| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 80

15/2

In tongue strap (left off this time), shaped better than result when ninth of 25 in handicap hurdle at Naas (16f, soft, 11/1) in April, close up when mistake 2 out. Off 8 months ahead of chase debut.

Form: 400879-

Forecasts

Dream In The Park (7/2), Cheerful Chap (7/2), Birdsandthebees (11/2), Lough Nigara (7/1), Cahirdown Boy (7/1), Thelonglad (15/2), Sea Road Fill (10/1), Johngus (16/1), Must Be Dreaming (20/1), Itsalonglongroad (22/1)

CHEERFUL CHAP has been shaping up well given another go at chasing this season, placed on his last 3 starts, so he could be ready to take advantage of his lower mark over fences. Sea Road Fill has fared better sent handicapping on his last 2 outings and is respected, while Birdsandthebees remains with potential as a chaser.