Trip: true stamina test at 2m7f80y, likely run at even gallop.
Ground: good – suits those with pace and fluent jumpers.
Pace angle: Born Bright likes to be handy; Boston Rover/Itsalladream can also press; Turnpike Trip and Digby best when held up/creeping into it.
Strongest Contenders
Boston Rover (G Elliott / Kennedy) – Proven/Progressive
- 6yo, already won a novice chase (Roscommon, 21.7f, good).
- Solid RPRs (128–129) and shaped like stayer. Jumping still a touch sketchy but improving.
- Gets weight from Turnpike Trip and Digby.
- Yard/jockey combo dangerous at this track.
Turnpike Trip (C Byrnes / P Byrnes) – Proven but Veteran
- Class act at peak (144 RPR over fences, ex-146 hurdler).
- Bounced back at Galway (22.5f h’cap) staying on powerfully.
- Up in trip – suits, but now 11yo, not always consistent.
- Connections adept at targeting races; one of few with genuine Graded-level past.
Digby (D McLoughlin / Enright) – Progressive this summer
- Twice a chase winner this season (Bangor & Ballinrobe), latest near career-best 142 at Uttoxeter (2nd in big pot).
- Genuine stayer, handles good ground, likes a battle.
- 10yo but in career-best form, possibly best overall stayer here.
Main Dangers
Dark Note (A Slattery / Quirke) – Promising
- Versatile (Flat/hurdles/fences), won Tipperary novice chase (19.7f).
- Outstayed at Tramore but still ran to 129.
- First try at 2m7f – pedigree says maybe sharp enough, but flat background tempers stamina confidence.
Cloughroe (P J Gilligan / J Gilligan) – Inconsistent but capable
- Chase win at Cartmel (21f, soft) and placed in Irish handicaps.
- Stays well but recent form patchy; RPR ceiling ~120.
- Needs improvement but not without place chance if it turns scrappy.
Itsalladream (P J Gilligan / D Gilligan) – Unexposed Chaser
- Novice chase winner at Roscommon (16f), then fair 2nd at Ballinrobe over 17f.
- Pulled up in Galway Grade 3, then outclassed in hurdle.
- Step up to 3m could help, but stamina unproven.
Born Bright (C O’Connell / J Smith (5)) – Improving Mare
- Recent wins at Tipperary & Market Rasen (23f).
- Has a handy 5lb claimer.
- Up in class but genuine, stays, and ground fine.
- Could easily run into a place if jumping holds.
Runner Scores (Suitability Today)
- Boston Rover – 8/10 (progressive young chaser, stays, scope to improve)
- Digby – 8/10 (solid summer campaigner, peak form, genuine stayer)
- Turnpike Trip – 7/10 (class but veteran, not reliable)
- Dark Note – 6/10 (promising but stamina query)
- Born Bright – 6/10 (in form, but class rise)
- Cloughroe – 5/10 (inconsistent, but proven stayer)
- Itsalladream – 5/10 (potential improver, but untested stamina)
Private Tissue (fair odds estimate)
- Boston Rover 3/1
- Digby 10/3
- Turnpike Trip 9/2
- Dark Note 6/1
- Born Bright 10/1
- Cloughroe 14/1
- Itsalladream 14/1
Summary
Competitive novice, mixing veterans (Turnpike Trip, Digby) with progressive novices (Boston Rover, Dark Note). Pace looks even, suiting strong stayers who can quicken late. Elliott/Kennedy’s Boston Rover brings youth and progression, while Digby looks the solid staying option. Turnpike Trip classy but risky. Born Bright is the interesting outsider if the race falls apart.
Smart Play:
- Win bet: Boston Rover (progressive 6yo, scope to improve past older rivals).
- Each-way saver: Born Bright (in form, unexposed mare at trip, claims 5lb).
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