John Lynch Memorial EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 4m 21.7s

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Selected odds by:

Great Khan^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P Townend| T: E J O'Grady

10/1

Fair hurdler, though found winning tough enough (1-13, placed ten times). Runner-up here last time over 2m5f (good) on New Year's Day on second chase start. Drop in trip fine, should play forward role.

Form: 135-242

Gusty Rocky^t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: P J Flynn| OR: 132| D

9/1

Settled for second three times in point-to-points, though also failed to make the finish line a couple of times. Pulled up on rules bow at Gowran Park in November and watching brief advised here.

Form: 2UP22P

Impact Factor^h¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 132

7/4

Solid hurdles form, with one win from 10 attempts, hasn't taken to fencing like a natural but shaped much better in third behind Paloma Blue at Leopardstown (2m1f, good to yielding) over Christmas in first-time hood (retained). Draws respect now.

Form: 20-0F83

Play The Part^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: W M Roper

50/1

Mixed form over hurdles and only eighth of 12 in minor event at Down Royal (2m4f, good to soft) 17 days ago on return to chasing (0-3 so far). Others preferred on form.

Form: 653198

Shawshank¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan

20/1

Presenting gelding out of a Fair Mix mare. Winner of two of his three career point-to-point starts. Cut no ice on rules bow at Punchestown (3m1f, good) on New Year's Eve, has to take a big step forward on that form.

Form: 5-115

Uisce Beatha¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| C

12/1

Some promise shown on chase bow at Punchestown in November over 2m4f, set a couple of stiff tasks over shorter trips since however and easily swatted aside. Likely needs further to be at his best.

Form: 1-2P505

Veinard^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 107

10/1

Has the form to get involved (February second around here) but recent efforts aren't too inspiring and was beaten when falling over hurdles at Leopardstown last month. Not the easiest to trust.

Form: 720-U9F

Mitchouka¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 131| C

15/8

Has essentially been disappointing in four starts over fences, failing to meet expectations. Getting better with experience however and should be able to rise a challenge in this field (5L to find with Impact Factor on prior meeting).

Form: 26-F544

Forecasts

Impact Factor (7/4), Mitchouka (15/8), Gusty Rocky (9/1), Veinard (10/1), Great Khan (10/1), Uisce Beatha (12/1), Shawshank (20/1), Play The Part (50/1)

IMPACT FACTOR ran an improved race over Christmas in his new hood and ought to have strong claims of landing this with a repeat showing. That form entitles him to hold Mitchouka at bay. Gordon Elliott's second runner, Veinard, isn't the most reliable but his February run here would give him claims while Great Khan was second here on New Year's Day and should figure once more dropped in distance.