15:35 Cork

Sunday 16 April 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Beginners Chase

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 5m 1.5s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Ancient Sands¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: J E Kiely

16/1

Has made no impression in two starts over fences but commands respect as he was rated 135 over hurdles. The forecast faster ground here will benefit him and an improved display is anticipated.

Form: 336507

Baily Moon^p,t¹²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: M A Enright| T: M F Morris| OR: 116

16/1

Off the course four months since pulling up last time. Looks have to have plenty to find to trouble the principals in this.

Form: 0334PF-

Balbir Du Mathan^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: A Fleming| OR: 136

9/4

This will represent his easiest task by far over fences. Unproven on a sound surface but remains the one to beat if handling the conditions.

Form: F25/26-8

Brought Joe Home⁴⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: T Gibney

66/1

Has looked poor in three runs to date. Has a 15 month absence to overcome and looks easy to dismiss.

Form: 00/P-

Clonalig House^t⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: A J Martin

12/1

Hurdling form would place him behind a number of these. Will be all the better for his debut over fences in January and the quicker surface.

Form: 515432-

Fire In His Eyes^t¹⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

15/8

Not far behind many of these judged on his hurdling debut. Put away for the spring following a poor showing in the mud last time and now makes his chasing debut.

Form: 1-511P5

Mount Oliver²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Robbie Colgan| T: Miss M L Hallahan

80/1

Has failed to get competitive in three runs this year over fences. Hard to see him faring any better here.

Form: 25-

Red Giant⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G N Fox| T: N Meade

11/2

Well beaten in his three previous starts over fences, all on soft/heavy ground. Hurdling form indicates a preference for the forecast faster conditions, but also that he may require a stiffer test.

Form: 58506P-

Static Jack¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden

9/2

Has made his mark in point-to-points, bumpers and hurdles. Will no doubt have his day over the larger obstacles too but may require an easier test.

Form: 3521P1-

Forecasts

Fire In His Eyes (15/8), Balbir Du Mathan (9/4), Static Jack (9/2), Red Giant (11/2), Clonalig House (12/1), Ancient Sands (16/1), Baily Moon (16/1), Brought Joe Home (66/1), Mount Oliver (80/1)

BALBIR DU METHAN has come up against some useful novices this season and will get few easier opportunities to open his account in this sphere. He has only had three runs back from a 12 month absence and should now be in prime condition. Fire In His Eyes has patiently waited for drying ground before making his chasing debut and he makes this race more intriguing based on the progress he was showing during the autumn. Ancient Sands has an official rating of 135 over hurdles. Today's ground gives him a better chance of running close to that mark than for his previous starts over fences. If doing so he would be more than capable of springing a surprise.