Verdict

Denis Hogan is a brilliant placer of his horses and looks to have found another opportunity for LUKE'S BENEFIT, who won over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month and completed a double over fences at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. He's in such good heart that a 6lb penalty looks manageable and a hat-trick beckons. Treat Yourself was conceding 12lb to the selection when beaten seven lengths over hurdles at Thurles in February so the revised weights put him in with a shout on his handicap debut over fences. Golden Ticket landed a novices' handicap here in November but was very disappointing when strongly fancied at Navan a month later. Worldor has won twice over timber but hasn't shown much so far over fences, though he makes his handicap bow here.

Luke's Benefit (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Always prominent, led after 3 out, went clear and ridden after next, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Dec beating Kennoway (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.

Treat Yourself (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 4th until moderate 3rd from 5 out, pushed along in moderate 2nd approaching straight, closed from before 2 out, no impression in 3rd when slightly hampered last and left 2nd again, kept on same pace,, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Is Herself About (11-5) at Clonmel 2m beg chs gd in Dec.

Knocklong (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, pecked 2nd, 3rd and not fluent, moderate 7th halfway, 6th 5 out, pushed along and no impression 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Uncle Tom Cobley (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Apr, 8 ran.

Character Actor (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway into 7th 4 out, ridden and no extra next, 9th of 16, 37l behind Daring Article (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs in Dec.

Ballyfinboy (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Towards rear, closer order 5 out, soon 8th, no impression and kept on same pace straight, 6th of 10, 29l behind The Amarillo Kid (10-7) at Cork 2m gd in Oct.

Golden Ticket (AUS) 2-1fav (10-10) Soon chased leaders, 4th after 5 out, 7th before straight, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Oscars Business (10-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 in Dec.

Churchfield Champ (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Soon mid-division, improved to chase leaders into straight, weakened last, 19th of 28, well behind Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.

Mr Goodenough (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division on outer, 7th halfway, pushed along 3 out and no impression in 10th approaching straight, no extra and behind when pulled up run-in, dismounted, in a race won by Goonyella (10-0) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Apr, 19 ran.

Excerpt from:
Joe Byrne Memorial Handicap Chase (0-130) 2m

Related Posts
January 5, 2014 at 4:01 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Fences