16:15 Punchestown

Saturday 4 May 2024

All14:3015:0515:4216:1516:5017:2518:0018:30

Palmerstown House Estate Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase (0-150) (Listed)

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 6m 43.0s

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Selected odds by:

Glengouly²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| D

22/1

Lightly-raced front runner who was a solid second in Thyestes Chase (25f, heavy) at Gowran. Took strong hold and ultimately well held in Plate Handicap at Cheltenham next time and firmly on the retreat when unseating 4 out in Grand National 3 weeks ago. This less demanding at least.

Form: P5-220U

Minella Crooner^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| CD

25/1

Useful chaser who made a winning return in 4-runner listed chase at Wexford and similar form when third in Tramore Grade 3 on New Year's Day. Struggled since though, pulled up in Ultima Handicap and Grand National last 2 starts.

Form: 1P33PP

Cruz Control^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 140

5/1

Fairly useful bumper/hurdles winner who has continued his progress over fences, winning 3 times, including when making full use of his accurate jumping in Premier Handicap at Aintree 3 weeks ago. High on shortlist.

Form: 122511

Spanish Harlem^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

11/1

Progressing gradually over fences, finishing third in maiden events around 2½m first 3 starts. Creditable sixth of 26 in Scottish Grand National at Ayr 2 weeks ago but Townend prefers Glengouly.

Form: 2P-3336

Blackjack Magic^t⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 135| BF| D

13/2

Returned with success in the Badger Beer at Wincanton and has continued in good order, in fifth when a last-fence faller in Coral Trophy at Kempton handicap last time. Shortlisted.

Form: P1-145F

Ballykeel^t²⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: D J Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 129| D

14/1

Latest win in chase at Perth in June. Respectable third of 8 in handicap chase at Killarney (20.8f, good to soft, 11/2), unsuited by drop in trip. Off 8 months. Good second in this last year off 5 lb lower.

Form: 02-F133

Digby^p¹⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 128

9/1

Fairly useful hurdler and similar form when runner-up first 2 starts in maiden chases. Possibly amiss at Navan (24f, heavy) 105 days ago. Makes handicap chase debut.

Form: 373224

Battle Of Mirbat³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: S F O'Keeffe| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 123

25/1

Mixed record of late, finishing tired when remote third at Fairyhouse last month. Others preferred.

Form: 322P23

Cadatharla³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: A P Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: Colm Murphy| OR: 123| BF

5/1

Useful winner over hurdles but not so good over fences so far, well held switched to a handicap at Fairyhouse latest. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 24-6446

Gold Bullion^t¹¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 123

7/1

Unexposed bumper/hurdles winner who's potentially on a nice opening mark on the pick of his chase form, so could be the answer.

Form: 4/3-1335

Better Times Ahead³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: S D Torrens| T: R Tyner| OR: 121| BF

4/1

Resumed progress with the benefit of his belated return under his belt when second to a subsequent winner in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (24.6f, heavy) 33 days ago. Fresher than most so he's a player.

Form: 8841-62

Donacheady Gale¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: D King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 120

16/1

Fairly useful winner at 18f over hurdles. 9/1, creditable neck second of 5 to Favori De Champdou in Gr 3 chase at Limerick (24.6f, heavy) 15 days ago. Opening mark demands more.

Form: 314/322

Non-Runners

Farouk D'Alene²¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: G Elliott J: C P Millar

Fury Road⁷⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: G Elliott J: J C Gainford

Percy Warner⁶⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: H De Bromhead J: D J O'Keeffe

Bonnie Kellie¹⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: S Curling J: P T Enright

Forecasts

Better Times Ahead (4/1), Cruz Control (5/1), Cadatharla (5/1), Blackjack Magic (13/2), Gold Bullion (7/1), Digby (9/1), Spanish Harlem (11/1), Ballykeel (14/1), Percy Warner (14/1), Bonnie Kellie (16/1), Donacheady Gale (16/1), Fury Road (16/1), Farouk D'Alene (20/1), Glengouly (22/1), Minella Crooner (25/1), Battle Of Mirbat (25/1)

GOLD BULLION is potentially on a handy opening mark on the pick of his chase form so this unexposed sort could be the answer. Better Times Ahead is still on the upgrade judged on his second at Fairyhouse and arrives fresher than most, so is shortlisted along with the thriving Cruz Control.