Race Preview: 5:25 0-100 Handicap Chase

This is a very low-grade (0-100) handicap chase with a large 16-runner field. These races are notoriously difficult to predict, as the runners are often out of form, inconsistent, or poor jumpers. Finding a horse with solid recent form and a manageable handicap mark is the key.

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Runner-by-Runner Analysis

• Due Course (12-0): Carries top weight for a reason. He put in the best recent chase performance in this field when finishing a strong 2nd at Sligo (RPR 100) just 22 days ago. He’s up 2lbs for that, but the booking of Keith Donoghue for the Cromwell yard is a major positive. The 12-0 burden is the main concern.
• Rodney Bay (11-12): His form over hurdles is poor (8-98), and he makes his chase debut in a big, competitive field. A very tough ask.
• Sharetheknowledge (11-10): Showed some promise on his chase debut 14 days ago at Tramore, finishing 4th. He’s entitled to improve for that experience and is one for the shortlist.
• Walk In The Dark (11-9): Impossible to recommend. He has been pulled up on his last two starts.
• Nakassama (11-8): Won a weak hurdle at Hexham but was tailed off on his chase debut at Downpatrick 13 days ago. Needs to show massive improvement.
• Corbally Cross (11-5): This horse has no chase form on the card. He’s been running respectably over hurdles, including a 3rd at Killarney last time. Making a chase debut in a 16-runner handicap is a huge challenge.
• Kilbrin Rocco (11-5): Another making his chase debut. His hurdles form is very poor, finishing 10th on his last start.
• Kobalt St Georges (11-5): Has terrible form figures (...00900-). He was beaten 37 lengths on his only previous chase start, which was at this track.
• Onefortheditch (11-0): This mare is arguably the most interesting horse in the race. She is in fantastic form over hurdles, running a blinder to be 2nd at Cork just 11 days ago (RPR 102). She runs here off her chase mark of OR 85, which is 13lbs lower than her hurdles rating. If she can jump, she is “thrown in” at the weights.
• Ar Nos Na Gaoithe (11-0): A course winner over hurdles but has shown no ability in two chase starts, being tailed off in both.
• Toor Moon (10-11): A 29-race maiden who finally found his calling on his chase debut 13 days ago, finishing an excellent 2nd at Downpatrick. He’s race-fit, in form, and carries a low weight. He should improve and is a major contender.
• Seventy Eight Team (10-12): Has some respectable chase form, including a 2nd at Wexford in August. He’s not without a place chance, especially with a 5lb claimer on board.
• Will It Be You (10-8): Poor form, well-beaten 8th at Sligo last time.
• Opera Point (10-5): Returns from a 185-day break. Her form before the layoff was very poor, including a pull-up over fences.
• Added Bonus (10-1): The 11-year-old’s form is P0P0P7. He has shown nothing for a long time.
• Glaoinn An Airgead (10-1): A 13-race maiden with no form to recommend.

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Conclusion and Selection

This is a minefield, but there are three horses who stand out from the rest.

Onefortheditch looks to have a significant class edge. She is in the form of her life over hurdles and competes here off a chase mark that is 13lbs lower. If she can put in a clear round of jumping under Darragh O’Keeffe, she could be in a different league to these.

The main dangers are Due Course, who has the best proven chase form but must carry a heavy weight, and Toor Moon, who looked a natural on his chase debut and is open to any amount of improvement.

Top Selection: Onefortheditch (11-0) Main Dangers: Toor Moon (10-11), Due Course (12-0)