16:10 Leopardstown

Sunday 5 March 2017

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 5m 38.2s

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Selected odds by:

Mr Diablo^t1¹⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 133

16/1

Just the one win from nine starts over fences, achieved at much shorter trip. Underwhelming at Cork in October when last seen, up in trip and tongue strap on now.

Form: 23710B-

Damut^h⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D N Russell| T: Joseph Dullea| OR: 129

4/1

Ran very well in valuable handicap chase at the track in January over similar trip, not beaten far and that run gains major respect coming into this.

Form: 14-0556

Net D'Ecosse¹²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Cooper| T: N Meade| OR: 129

8/1

Well held at Down Royal in November in what was first run for the guts of a year, needs a big step forward from that to be competitive.

Form: 5/6P67-2

Rightville Boy⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R P Treacy⁽⁵⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 128

14/1

Looks a bit exposed on recent evidence and it would be hard to put him forward currently.

Form: 61-2524

Emcon¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: J W Kennedy| T: W J Austin| OR: 126

6/1

Went close in December at Fairyhouse in Mares Handicap Chase over 2m4f, been hurdling since in good company and needs more for this.

Form: 129429

Bearly Legal^t⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: D J Mullins| T: K Thornton| OR: 123

10/1

Credible run here in January in a similar contest off this mark, is a previous C&D winner and not hard to see him playing a forward role now.

Form: 396432

The Gatechecker¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: M P Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 121

3/1

On good terms with himself this year, winning at Naas in January and settling for second at Gowran last month over longer trip. Up slightly in distance once more and appeals as a major contender.

Form: 60512U-

Presenting Mahler¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D E Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 118

33/1

Has been out of form since Sligo success in September, brought down at Thurles just over a week ago when travelling fine in rear. Needs to find something.

Form: B68558-

The Mooch^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: R A Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 117

20/1

Ran well over hurdles for a long way at Tramore in December over this kind of trip, since disappointed here over shorter journey. Switched to chasing again, has potential to fare much better though trainer form is a concern.

Form: PP0464-

Dallas Cowboy^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: D Meyler⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 111

9/2

Yet to win over fences but has run encouragingly in two of three outings since joining this yard and no surprise should he snare a pot sooner rather than later.

Form: 52P338-

Forecasts

The Gatechecker (3/1), Damut (4/1), Dallas Cowboy (9/2), Emcon (6/1), Net D'Ecosse (8/1), Bearly Legal (10/1), Rightville Boy (14/1), Mr Diablo (16/1), The Mooch (20/1), Presenting Mahler (33/1)

Bottom weight Dallas Cowboy certainly has displayed the ability to win a race like this since joining his shrewd trainer and he commands plenty respect in this contest. The Mooch is potentially interesting switching back from hurdles as he seems a better chaser and could be competitive while previous C&D winner Bearly Legal has viable claims having run well here in January. Damut caught the eye when staying on in a valuable contest won by A Toi Phil and goes on the shortlist but THE GATECHECKER may be the answer. He's going the right way of late and showed that last time at Gowran Park when finishing second to Killaro Boy. He can take his strike rate to two from three this year.