16:50 Galway

Tuesday 8 October 2019

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

Guinness Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 53.6s

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Selected odds by:

Nearly Nama'd^p³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Dempsey| T: A Leahy| OR: 127| C

20/1

Veteran hasn't quite been at his best since winning at Listowel in June on good ground. Acts on soft and heavy so ground here not a worry and now just 2lb higher than aforementioned win.

Form: 8100F5

Reach Up^b,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: L Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 125| D

8/1

Although last task was a tough one ultimately he has been disappointing in five starts since winning at Punchestown in June. Handicap sliding and as effective on testing ground but others preferred.

Form: 140U75

Bilbo Bagins²⁰⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: S W Flanagan| T: A Murray| OR: 122

12/1

Progressive chaser scored for the second time over fences at Navan (2m1f, soft) when last seen in March. First time out here but leading claims if ready to roll with 7lb rise not enough to dampen enthusiasm.

Form: 8F3/251-

Punches Cross^b²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M P Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 122

5/1

Dual winner over fences ran well when fourth at Listowel latest over 2m1f and an extra 1f that day would have seen him make the frame. 1lb rise for that and not exactly well handicapped but few here probably are so not underestimated.

Form: 7-34054

Damut^b¹³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: D J McInerney| T: M Winters| OR: 121

14/1

Plenty of recent efforts suggest he can make a bold bid off this mark but 1-21 record over fences tempers enthusiasm a little so probably more one for each-way backers if the price is right.

Form: 4525-35

Peacocks Secret²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R J Condon⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 120

9/1

Took advantage of lower hurdles mark in June but chase handicap since last win has seemingly been much too high and again he was well beaten back over fences at Listowel latest which gives him plenty to find here.

Form: P-01788

Effernock Lad¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: R A Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: G Keane| OR: 118

5/1

2m1f Sligo win latest his second win this season and third over fences. 6lb rise unlikely to be enough to stop him going well once more and completely versatile ground wise which is a plus; safe bet to go close.

Form: 271541

Great Khan^t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: P T Enright| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 117

16/1

Only won once and 0-7 over fences. Two races this season after his summer break (one hurdle and one chase) very underwhelming and hard to be confident coming into this now.

Form: 8444-08

Portmore Lough²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: J S McGarvey| T: J E Kiely| OR: 114

4/1

Very lightly raced eight-year-old has placed in two of his three chases although well beaten in both in beginners chases lacking depth. Nevertheless opening mark could prove lenient and an interesting dark-horse against more exposed rivals.

Form: 31/372-

All The Chimneys¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: D J Mullins| T: W J Austin| OR: 112

12/1

Won twice in three starts early this year but unseated in race won by Balbo Bagins next and has since twice run very underwhelming races over hurdles. Probably better over fences now but risky proposition at present.

Form: 121U-P0

Pateen²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: B J Cooper| T: P G Kelly| OR: 112| C

6/1

Four-race maiden over the larger obstacles and makes little appeal based on what the Vinnie Roe gelding has shown for connections so far.

Form: 0046-59

Forecasts

Portmore Lough (4/1), Punches Cross (5/1), Effernock Lad (5/1), Pateen (6/1), Reach Up (8/1), Peacocks Secret (9/1), Bilbo Bagins (12/1), All The Chimneys (12/1), Damut (14/1), Great Khan (16/1), Nearly Nama'd (20/1)

There was lots to like about BILBO BAGINS win at Navan to end last season and if he's spot on for his return he has a fine chance to follow up here with few rivals appealing as well treated. One who could be is Portmore Laugh and John Kiely's charge is a very unexposed horse and although he's eight now he could yet have more to give in just his fourth race since winning a 2015 maiden hurdle. Recent winner Effernock Lad looks a safe bet to go well and he will have supporters aplenty.