The British raider Siberian Star is of obvious interest but he has never won over a trip this short. Da Big Fella has solid place claims again and Gustavo Goodway, Ernie Frrom Nurney and Rock On Pedro also make the shortlist but course regular MALTON GROOVE gets the nod. He's well-treated on his third over C&D last July, he shaped with promise again here last month and he can turn that form with Da Big Fella around if the first-time cheekpieces eke out a little bit more. [Dave Stephens]
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British raider, one of two runners on the card for the Bowens; 2-15 in chases; has been busy since the turn of the year but has held his form well; takes a big drop in trip after a 0.5l second over 26.5f at Sedgefield; this may not be enough of a stamina test.
Ran well to finish a 1.75l third of 14 over C&D in August off 94; another decent effort off 1lb higher latest at Thurles over 2m (good); same mark here and should go well, though his two career wins came on testing ground; place chance.
Eighteen race maiden under rules is 0-9 in chases; best chase efforts have come over this C&D on decent ground; now 3lb lower than when beaten 3.25l here last July; third of 11 here on latest, beaten 10.5l on good to yielding (2.5l behind Da Big Fella); should be thereabouts in first-time cheekpieces.
Yet to win after 13 starts but has shown ability over hurdles; chase career has started with two non-completions at Thurles, unseating over 2m and pulling up over 2m5f, both on good ground; hard to fancy on those efforts.
Two-time winning hurdler makes a belated chase debut at the age of ten; plenty of experience in point-to-points without winning one (0-15, second four times); best form is over further than this; probably best watched.
Maiden is 0-7 in chases; produced one of his better efforts in a beginners at Clonmel (16.5f, good) last week but was still beaten 12l into fifth; this trip should suit better but needs more.
Raced exclusively in maidens over hurdles without success; huge odds and well beaten in three beginners chases; can only be watched on handicap chase debut.
0-10 over hurdles and 0-3 in chases; saddle slipped here last time when under pressure but he was making headway; ran well off this mark in a handicap chase at Gowran (2m2f, good) in October; place claims with a repeat of that.
1-10 over hurdles, the win coming on heavy ground at Punchestown in January 2024; beaten 14l off 93 on sole chase start and is just 2lb lower now; needs softer ground (non-runner at Naas on Thursday, reserve).
Long standing maiden; 0-13 in chases; not much encouragement to take from first two runs back after a break, including over C&D latest; chase mark slipping but hard to make a case for on recent form.
Two time winner over hurdles is 0-5 in chases; best effort in this sphere a 6l fifth of 16 at Listowel (19.5f, soft to heavy) in September and he's 4lb lower now; poor twice since, though may have needed latest after a break and the blinkers worn at Listowel return; not discounted.
Flat winner is a maiden over jumps; 0-9 in chases; decent efforts last two starts at Clonmel and Thurles; has run well both previous starts at this venue and is 4lb lower than when a 6.5l sixth of 14 over C&D last August; no forlorn hope.
0-19 under Rules; won a Ballindenisk point-to-point on heavy ground in January; well beaten on return to the racetrack in a Thurles maiden hunters chase early last month; probably wants softer ground than this; others preferred.
Point-to-point winner at Dungarvan in February; decent effort on handicap chase debut over C&D but was still beaten 11.5l; needs more off the same mark.
1-13 over hurdles but remains a maiden over fences after three starts; last five runs have come over timber; pulled up at this venue on penultimate chase start over 25.5f; best form on easy ground; others appeal more.
Winning hurdler is 0-17 in chases but has run well in defeat, including the last twice; finished an 8l second of 11 over C&D off 73 last month and had a few of these rivals behind; place shout again off 1lb higher.
Third reserve; 0-15 under Rules and 0-4 in chases; off since being pulled up in a Gowran handicap chase in October; has run poorly over hurdles in three previous visits to this venue and is 2lb out of the handicap.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
