Poolcourt Engineering Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 18.80s

Sphagnum^b²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J P Sampson⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Broderick| OR: 122| CD

28/1

Course winner who is a far better chaser than hurdler but was sparked back to life by first-time blinkers when second of 16 at Sligo (3¼m, soft) in June. Below form in similar event there last time. Belatedly returns to this sphere from 2 lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 8080-27

Rockonliam^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 118| C

7/4

Made a winning return over hurdles at Listowel in May, looking more professional than has sometimes been the case, and followed that up by making a winning chasing debut in a 19.5f maiden at this course in June by 4½ lengths from Ned In The Park. Open to improvement upped markedly in trip.

Form: 1634-11

Jacovec Cavern^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Richard Condon⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hennessy| OR: 116

17/2

Winning chaser who got off the mark over hurdles at Punchestown in April. Followed that with pair of solid placed efforts but shaped as if amiss at Killarney 22 days ago. Reverts to chasing off lower handicap mark.

Form: 001-23P

Rue Taylor^b,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 112| CD

15/2

Dual hurdles winner at this track in 2024/25 and left previous chasing efforts well behind when winning 12-runner 23f conditionals handicap here in June, beating Teenage Kiss by a neck. Should be suited by longer trip as she aims to extend his unbeaten record at this course to 4 wins from 4 outings.

Form: 0708-51

Teenage Kiss^p³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie O'Dwyer⁽³⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 109| C

7/2

Won 3m handicap hurdle at this course in May and couldn't have gone much closer to following up on chasing debut here (23f, good to soft) just over 3 weeks ago, worn down by Rue Taylor and pulling well clear of the remainder. Meets that rival on 3 lb better terms now.

Form: 6245-12

Ceroc^b,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: A Slattery| OR: 108| CD

3/1

Moody sort who snapped a long losing run when winning 5-runner handicap at this course 17 days ago by 11 lengths from Dorans Law. Will need to defy a 6 lb rise in a strong race if he's to follow up, though, and his career has been blighted by inconsistency.

Form: 7P6-2P1

Duty Bound^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J P Flavin| OR: 107| C

11/1

Successful twice in handicap hurdles this time last year and is also a previous winner here over fences. Fared better than of late without making himself of immediate interest when fifth of 12 at this course (23f, good to soft) 39 days ago and he's tough to recommend.

Form: 552F-P5

Forecasts

Rockonliam (7/4), Ceroc (3/1), Teenage Kiss (7/2), Rue Taylor (15/2), Jacovec Cavern (17/2), Duty Bound (11/1), Sphagnum (28/1)

ROCKONLIAM has thrived of late, following a handicap hurdle success at Listowel with a smooth 14-runner maiden chase victory here 39 days ago, jumping soundly throughout. Whilst this represents a significant step up in trip, he remains open to further improvement and can go in again. Teenage Kiss and Rue Taylor, who fought out the finish of a handicap here in June head the list of dangers.