15:10 Naas

Saturday 9 February 2019

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10

O'Driscoll O'Neil Handicap Chase (0-130)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 21.7s

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Selected odds by:

Velocity Boy⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: William P Murphy| OR: 130| D

13/2

Smart novice but only win came back in 2017 during that campaign. Still in with every chance when falling two out penultimately over 3m4f. Midfield latest over 3m5f so this a big step down in distance but grade also. Not ruled out.

Form: 469-2F6

Ask Nile^b1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: J J Slevin| T: S Neville| OR: 129| BF

6/1

Not won since May 2017 but generally consistent this season albeit over hurdles. Pick of chase form would give him a chance off this mark and blinkers first time an interesting addition.

Form: 736472

Scoir Mear⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Walsh| T: T Mullins| OR: 128| D

4/1

Ten-race maiden over fences but far from disgraced latest in valuable Paddy Power Chase over Christmas. Gone close off similar marks in the past so can't be ruled out although others more compelling.

Form: 2P7-760

Roaring Bull^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 127| BF

7/1

Fairyhouse novice winner made favourite for handicap chase debut at Thurles last time (2m5½f) but was well held in fourth of seven. Too early to write him off however given connections so bold bid entirely possible.

Form: F-16214

Close Shave^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 126| D

12/1

Reverted to hurdles last time out he at least finished having failed to do so in his last four over fences although was a very remote 16th of 18. Best form competitive but risky proposition here to say the least.

Form: 2PPP-F0

Bilbo Bagins¹⁰⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: A Murray| OR: 116| D

10/1

Punchestown winner last season started this campaign with a sound second at Galway over 2m2f. Up 2lb for that effort, his lone run of the campaign but that among the most persuasive pieces of form so bold bid expected.

Form: 218F3-2

Peculiar Genius^p³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 115| BF

6/1

Tramore novice winner last season run well in all three starts this term, with second and fourth placed finishes over fences before finishing third latest over hurdles. Arrives in good form and yard absolutely flying at the minute so leading claims.

Form: P15-243

Nellie Pledge²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr L P Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 114| D

9/2

3m Navan winner two starts back was looking well held but still running well in second when falling two out last time in a Thurles Grade Two. Genuine claims here if able to put that behind her.

Form: 3-8481F

Runyon Rattler⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 114| D

16/1

Poor overall strike rate and after a couple of fair efforts the first twice over fences he seems to have lost his way. Well beaten when unseating two out latest and others more fancied.

Form: 25346U

Non-Runners

Spancil Hill⁴⁴

Weight: 10-6| Age: 9

T: M J McDonagh J: M A Enright

Marakoush⁴⁵

Weight: 9-12| Age: 8

T: P J Rothwell J: A W Short

Forecasts

Scoir Mear (4/1), Nellie Pledge (9/2), Ask Nile (6/1), Peculiar Genius (6/1), Velocity Boy (13/2), Roaring Bull (7/1), Bilbo Bagins (10/1), Close Shave (12/1), Runyon Rattler (16/1), Spancil Hill (16/1), Marakoush (33/1)

Paul Nolan has been in fine form lately and consistent PECULIAR GENIUS could be the latest to benefit from the stable's hot streak in this competitive looking race. Bilbo Bagins ran well in his only start of the season so far and a repeat of that effort would put him firmly in the picture. Novice Nellie Pledge fell last time out but had impressed previously and is another well worth considering.