March 17 / 17.10 Down Royal

17.10

Yielding To Soft

Bluegrass Mare Prepare Hunters Chase

  • Prize money: £5221.24
  • 2m 3f 140y
  • 7 runners
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Bluegrass Mare Prepare Hunters Chase

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.60
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1

Last run: 80 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressive in winning three points, a maiden last May and two winners' races during the autumn campaign; impressed in beating the limited but very experienced Johngus in a maiden hunters' chase at Limerick at Christmas; from the stable of top hunters Vaucelet, Winged Leader and Ferns Lock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

10th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:45 Cork

Ultimate Optimist

12st 0lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: D M Christie

raced in second, pressed leader 8th, left in lead 2 out, pushed along when mistake last, soon headed, kept on, no match for winner

11/10

1st

3

17th Mar 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 140y

17:10 Down Royal

Ultimate Optimist

12st 0lb

J: Mr A Harvey

T: D M Christie

raced in second, jumped left 4th, mistake 5th, made challenge after 3 out, led before 2 out, jumped slightly right last, ridden and kept on well run-in

5/4

1st

8

27th Dec 2022

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 120y

12:54 Limerick

Ultimate Optimist

12st 0lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: D M Christie

chased clear leader, slightly hampered when left in lead 9th, pushed along and went clear before 2 out, ran on well

9/4

13/2

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 403-23

Last run: 301 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed on all three starts bumpers and on three of his five runs over hurdles; beaten favourite in a maiden point at Farmaclaffley last month; may have needed the run after a break but still a disappointing effort given his fair racecourse form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Warwick

The Flier Begley

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

prominent, pressed leader 3rd, briefly led 4th, lost second 11th, hung left and lost position before 2 out, eased and pulled up after 2 out

7/4

1

20th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Warwick

The Flier Begley

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

prominent, pressed leader 3rd, briefly led 4th, lost second 11th

7/4

1st

4

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

17:15 Carlisle

The Flier Begley

11st 13lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Ex-Irish 9yo who came good for Gary Hanmer at fourth attempt, at Warwick (2m4f, good) three weeks ago; nudged up only 2lb for that and should also be suited by this right-handed track; respected.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 51P2-4

Last run: 54 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hunters' chase Limerick two seasons ago; 6-11 in points, including two wins this season; form has also featured two seconds behind Cheltenham runner Its On The Line; found things too demanding when a remote fourth at Thurles in January.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

17th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 150y

19:15 Tramore

Lord Schnitzel

11st 7lb

J: Mr J W Hendrick

T: Declan Queally

Won a maiden hunters' chase Limerick two seasons ago and has amassed six wins in point-to-points including Castlelands Open last month (beating recent Cork hunters chase winner Dinny Lacey); had Sizing Diamond well behind when third in Down Royal hunters chase since; easier task here and the one to beat.

Evs

3rd

2

17th Mar 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 140y

17:10 Down Royal

Lord Schnitzel

12st 0lb

J: Mr J W Hannon

T: Declan Queally

soon led at steady pace, ridden and faced challenge after 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra and lost second run-in

5/2

4th

3

22nd Jan 2023

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 149y

16:10 Thurles

Lord Schnitzel

11st 11lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Declan Queally

Multiple point winner, runner-up in point a week ago; last seen under Rules when beaten favourite in hunter chase at Cork last April, losing out to Down The Highway by 1l; respected.

7/1

Form: 232-F3

Last run: 122 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner in points; has been keeping good company in races won by Brain Power and Winged Leader; some concern that he was a beaten odds-on favourite here a year ago and that he has failed to add to the single hunters' chase success gained at Fairyhouse in 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 74y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Er Dancer

11st 9lb

J: Mr A Harney

T: Sean Thomas Doyle

Eight wins and nine seconds from 24 starts in points; too good for Ask D'Man at Stowlin in May; made a competent return behind the useful Wonderwall (a winner again since) and beat the useful Born To The Sea at Tinahely last month; 1-14 record over racecourse fences is a concern, but race-fitness should be an asset.

3/1

4

12th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 74y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Er Dancer

11st 9lb

J: Mr A Harney

T: Sean Thomas Doyle

Eight wins and nine seconds from 24 starts in points; too good for Ask D'Man at Stowlin in May; made a competent return behind the useful Wonderwall (a winner again since) and beat the useful Born To The Sea at Tinahely last month; 1-14 record over racecourse fences is a concern, but race-fitness should be an asset.

3/1

5th

16

7th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 70y

19:15 Wexford

Er Dancer

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Sean Thomas Doyle

Decent form in point-to-points but sole win under Rules came in a maiden hunter chase; beaten 16L into ninth in a handicap chase at Roscommon in June; wears usual cheekpieces but would be a surprise winner here.

28/1

Form: 8

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner at Necarne in October; failed to make any impact on his hunters' chase debut at Clonmel in January; much more like it when third at Oldtown last month; winner Dento Des Obeaux followed up in good style on the track at Thurles on Monday, runner-up Winnie Woodnutt won well at Borris House.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

1st May 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 50y

16:30 Down Royal

Sizing Diamond

12st 0lb

J: Mr J Dunne

T: J T R Dreaper

in touch with leaders

7/2

4th

3

17th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 150y

19:15 Tramore

Sizing Diamond

11st 7lb

J: Mr J Dunne

T: J T R Dreaper

Won a maiden point at Necarne in November but recent hunters chase form leaves him with plenty to find.

14/1

8

2nd Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 100y

17:10 Downpatrick

Sizing Diamond

12st 0lb

J: Luke Carberry

T: J T R Dreaper

towards rear, fell 6th

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice pulled-up before a moderate fourth in a maiden point on latest; can be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

17th Mar 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 140y

17:10 Down Royal

Dotraki Treve

11st 7lb

J: Mr T P Harney

T: Mrs Caroline McCaldin

held up in midfield, pushed along and no impression before 3 out

50/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 446 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in a bumper; has failed to make an impact in three starts in points.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Nov 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 110y

12:55 Fairyhouse

General Dynamics

11st 12lb

J: Miss A McGuinness

T: J J Lambe

Is 0-3 in points and tailed off in a hunter chase at Down Royal in March; huge price when a much-improved third at Tipperary in April; pulled up on recent seasonal/handicap debut at Down Royal; can be ruled out.

66/1

0

4

10th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 100y

14:37 Down Royal

General Dynamics

11st 10lb

J: Miss A McGuinness

T: J J Lambe

in rear, weakened and detached after 3 out (usual 6 out), pulled up before 2 out (usual 5 out)

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €7.70
Straight Forecast €9.12
Trifecta €23.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ultimate Optimist

POSTDATA:

Lord Schnitzel

RP Ratings (IRE):

Ultimate Optimist

TOPSPEED:

Ultimate Optimist

The Irish Sun:

Ultimate Optimist