Racecards
17:10 Thurles (IRE)
Thurles Racecourse Handicap Chase
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Yielding in places
- Surface: Turf
- €14,500 added
- Winner: €10,005
- 2nd: €2,320
- 3rd: €1,015
- 4th: €581
- Form 2F490P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey P F Mangan
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra after 5 out
- Form 02793F
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, 2nd next, improved to lead entering straight, ridden and kept on well from before last, stretched clear run-in
- Form 21-3208
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer E O'Grady
- Jockey Phillip Enright
towards rear early, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression before 4 out, left moderate 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
- Form 636734
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer C O'Dwyer
- Jockey D N Russell
chased leader, led before 5th, clear 6 out, bad mistake 3 out and reduced advantage, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression winner before last
- Form 574414
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer P Byrne
- Jockey Mark Walsh
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake and dropped to 4th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, left moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace
- Form 821018
- Age 11
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 112
towards rear, ridden and no impression after 5 out
- Form 685-7U3
- Age 10
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey Mr E J O'connell
led, headed before 5th, 3rd and ridden 3 out, no impression leaders when fell 2 out
- Form 9005PP
- Age 11
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer P J Gilligan
- Jockey A E Lynch
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th and no impression before 4 out, left moderate 4th 2 out, kept on one pace
- Form 253F9F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer J P Ryan
- Jockey K C Sexton
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 5 out
In depth
Verdict
Luke's Benefit has been expertly placed to win six times, shared between hurdles and fences. He's just 3lb higher than when last successful over the bigger obstacles and looks sure to go well again. It's a long time since Darenjan won a race and he's probably still a few pounds high but Moiqen landed a beginners' chase here in February, though he couldn't follow up in a handicap at Wexford. SLIEVEARDAGH looked a smart prospect at this time last year on good ground and though his recent runs have left plenty to be desired he's found conditions against him. He's been dropped to a fair mark and this looks within his capabilities. Uncle Tom Cobley is consistent enough which is why he remains on a high enough mark though he rarely wins.
Formwatch
Slieveardagh (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out (poor visibility), in a race won by Rich Revival (10-13) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Darenjan (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 5 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra in 7th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Pires (11-7) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Headford Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 4 out, no impression in 6th next, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, 48l behind Gates Of Rome (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4f hdl hvy in Mar.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 14l behind Hidden Crack (10-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-123) (5yo+) sft in Mar.
Moiqen (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leader, led before 6th, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Mark Me Up (9-10) at Wexford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Mar.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led, headed entering straight, soon ridden and no extra, weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Whiskey And Rye (10-13) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Mar.
Predateur (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 2 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Wilde Pastures (11-1) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Mar.
Rinroe (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Roi Du Mee (11-10) at Cork 3m chs Grade 3 (1) in Mar, 8 ran.
A New Day (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden into 5th after 2 out, closer approaching last when fell, in a race won by Mark Me Up (9-10) at Wexford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Mar, 8 ran.