John B. Keane Beginners Chase

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 5m 9.50s

Brave Endeavour^b¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P O'Flynn| OR: 84

28/1

Took a step back in the right direction switched to front-running tactics when fourth over hurdles at Limerick in April but this winning pointer was well held on his chase bow 11 days ago having helped force the pace again. Headgear back on.

Form: 70904/8

Knockbrack Rambler⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: Brendan Walsh| OR: 87| D

12/1

Winning hurdler but failed to get close to that form over fences last season and ran poorly back hurdling latest.

Form: 0P858P/

Uptaurintop^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| OR: 83

14/1

Ran well when 1¾ lengths third on final start over hurdles last season at Limerick (2m, heavy) in April but was soon done with sent chasing at Limerick 11 days ago. Drop back in trip should at least suit.

Form: 03P43/0

Walk Away Harry⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Coakley

6/1

Bumper winner but has lost his way over jumps, faring no better starting out for this yard 8 weeks ago.

Form: 49/0089-

Tropical Image^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr J W Hendrick⁽⁷⁾| T: E McCarthy| OR: 92| C

4/1

Winner over hurdles here in September. Not in same form since, never a threat on chase bow at Killarney 3 weeks ago (though made some headway between 4 out and 3 out).

Form: 316P7/6

Whispering Willow¹⁰

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

4/6

Maiden hurdler for Paul Gilligan. Proved a different model for new yard after 7 months off when readily landing 19-runner handicap hurdle at Punchestown and translated her improvement to chasing right away when close third in maiden at Downpatrick 10 days ago. Hard to beat.

Form: 6086/13

Non-Runners

Derby Rock²⁹¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: M F Morris J: Josh Williamson

Forecasts

Whispering Willow (4/6), Tropical Image (4/1), Walk Away Harry (6/1), Derby Rock (8/1), Knockbrack Rambler (12/1), Uptaurintop (14/1), Brave Endeavour (28/1)

WHISPERING WILLOW has made a very bright start for new connections and is hard to oppose up against an uninspiring bunch. Tropical Image is selected for the forecast.