15:00
BAR 1 Betting Troytown Handicap Steeplechase (Grade 3)
Grade 3, Class 1, 3m, Chase, 4yo+, €60,000, 18 runners
Winning time 6m 19.50s
- Going
- Yielding
- Surface
- Turf
Tip for this race
All today's tips ›Firefox heads our ratings on 164, a clear six pounds ahead of Better Days Ahead on 158, and that gap is a meaningful edge in a big-field staying contest over 24 furlongs at Navan. On good to soft ground he looks the one to beat on merit, with the top-end quality to cope with an 18-runner scrap. Better Days Ahead is the chief danger, while Croke Park (155) and Intense Raffles (152) also sit in the leading group and could give him a race. Firefox looks the strongest on figures, and he is our selection.
Result
Jack Kennedy
Gordon Elliott
sat just behind the front pair - moved into 2nd 3 out and niggled to challenge at the following fence - soon driven and hit the front before the last - stayed on strongly to win
Sean O'Keeffe
P A Fahy
up with the front pair early - 6th at halfway - shoved on towards far rail approaching 2 out - rallied to take 3rd before the last - stayed on up the run-in to snatch 2nd near the line
Harry Sexton (7)
Thomas Gibney
Handy behind the front pair - midfield at the midway point - moved up to third 3 out then challenged for the lead - pushed along and passed before the last - stayed on on the run-in - weakened near the finish to end 3rd
Mark Walsh
Padraig Roche
prominent early - shaken up on inner after 3 out then driven to reach 5th at the following fence - stayed on to take 4th over 100 yards out
Phillip Enright
Padraig Butler
prominent early - in front before 3rd - overtaken 7th - sat against the rail and edged back to the front turning in - challenged 2 out and soon under pressure - went backwards to 4th before last - slipped to 5th inside final 100 yards
Simon Torrens
J Motherway
Made all in the early running until passed 3rd - sat just behind the front group by halfway - ridden in 5th 3 out then climbed to 4th - weakened to 6th before the last - stayed on at one speed to the line
Caragh Monaghan (7)
Ian Patrick Donoghue
prominent early - moved up to second after 3rd - took over in front at 7th - overtaken turning into straight - shaken up in 4th after 3 out - soon floundered and dropped to 9th after 2 out - rallied after last to finish 7th
Danny Gilligan
Gordon Elliott
Towards the back of the main group early - shoved on after 3 out and soon 8th - plodded on without threatening from the last
James Smith (3)
Gordon Elliott
up with the front pair early - 3rd at halfway - 6th approaching 3 out and under urging - soon struggling and nothing left before the last - plodded on to finish 9th
Kevin Healy (7)
Gordon Elliott
Raced in the middle of the field - 8th at 4 out and under urging - soon outpaced before the following fence - plugged on at a steady speed to finish 10th
Josh Williamson (3)
Gordon Elliott
Prominent early - 4th at halfway - under pressure approaching 3 out then found nothing - faded tamely before 2 out - finished 11th and well adrift
Jordan Gainford
Gordon Elliott
Held up out the back throughout - well adrift and out of contention - finished 12th
Mr L Murphy (7)
Gordon Elliott
Held up at the back throughout - well out of contention - finished 13th and miles behind
Sam Ewing
Noel Meade
held up at back - blundered 11th - outpaced from 5 out and pulled up before the last
Ethan O'Sullivan (7)
Gordon Elliott
Detached from the outset at the back - no threat to the principals - eased and pulled up before the penultimate fence
Patrick M O'Brien (5)
Gordon Elliott
Prominent early - unseated rider at the 2nd
Conor Stone-Walsh
Gavin Cromwell
towards the back of the pack early - gradually improved into the centre after 4 out - made no further progress from the third last - faded before 2 out - pulled up before the last
J. J. Slevin
Thomas Gibney
Raced around halfway - made no progress from 4 out - dropped away tailed off and pulled up before the last
Racecard
Kevin Healy (7)
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Firefox has run over today's trip and on this going, and he won five starts back before a second four runs ago, though he's been unplaced last time out and absent 218 days. Our rating makes him the top-rated runner, and he looks the one to beat despite top weight of 166 lb.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Cuteasafox (IRE) by Vinnie Roe
- Owner
- Bective Stud
- Foaled
- 23 Feb 2018
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 164
Mr L Murphy (7)
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Better Days Ahead is yet to win in his last four, but back-to-back seconds two and three starts back show he can be competitive, and he has run over today's trip and going. Our rating has him second of 18, though a 223-day absence and 163 lb are the concerns.
- Sire
- Milan (GB)
- Dam
- Bonnie And Bright (IRE) by Topanoora
- Owner
- Bective Stud
- Foaled
- 25 May 2018
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 158
James Smith (3)
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Search For Glory has been without a win in his last five, with seconds four and five starts back, though he has since been pulled up, unseated and pulled up again. He has run over today's trip and going, but 223 days off and 156 lb are hurdles; our rating of 145 puts him seventh of 18.
- Sire
- Fame And Glory (GB)
- Dam
- Geek Chic (IRE) by Saffron Walden
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 23 Mar 2017
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 145
Jordan Gainford
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Croke Park arrives fit after 15 days off, with a second two starts back and a third five runs ago, and he has run over today's trip and going before. He is yet to win in his last five, though, and 153 lb is the main risk.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Toledana (FR) by Protektor
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 20 Apr 2018
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 155
J. J. Slevin
Thomas Gibney 1/8
Intense Raffles arrives on the back of a fifth last time out and has run on today's going, while our rating of 152 ranks him fourth of 18 and puts him firmly in the mix off 152 lb. The main risk is fitness, as he is yet to win in his last five and returns after 197 days off.
- Sire
- Martaline (GB)
- Dam
- Une Artiste (FR) by Alberto Giacometti
- Owner
- Simon Munir Isaac Souede
- Foaled
- 11 Mar 2018
- Stable
- Trim, Co. Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 8 runs (13%)
- Trainer running to form
- 33%
- Ratings
- Perf 152
Jack Kennedy
Gordon Elliott 11/69
The Wallpark is winless in his last five, though a second two starts back shows he can go close, and he has run over today's trip and going before. A 258-day absence and 152 lb are the concerns, even with our rating of 149 ranking him fifth of 18.
- Sire
- Ask (GB)
- Dam
- Alderimli (IRE) by Alderbrook
- Owner
- John P Mcmanus
- Foaled
- 27 Apr 2018
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 149
Conor Stone-Walsh
Gavin Cromwell 7/42
Perceval Legallois has been pulled up in two of his last three outings, though a second three starts back shows he has ability, and he has run over today's trip and going. Rated 148 by us, he returns after 53 days carrying 151 lb, which looks a stiff ask.
- Sire
- Ballingarry (IRE)
- Dam
- Mrs Percival (GB) by Lahib
- Owner
- John P Mcmanus
- Foaled
- 27 Apr 2017
- Stable
- Navan, Co. Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 7 wins from 42 runs (17%)
- Trainer running to form
- 51%
- Ratings
- Perf 149
Danny Gilligan
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Third last time out and a third three starts back show The Enabler is capable of making the frame, and he has run over today's trip and going, but a 223-day absence and 146 lb on his back leave question marks. Our rating of 140 sits eighth of 18.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Nanny Stone (IRE) by Flemensfirth
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 9 Feb 2019
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 140
Mark Walsh
Padraig Roche 0/7
Yet to win in his last five, he bounced back with a second last time out, but that came 287 days ago and the 6th, 7th and 8th before it show a patchy profile. He has run over today's trip and going, yet 145 lb and a 13th-of-18 ranking make him hard to fancy.
- Sire
- Champs Elysees (GB)
- Dam
- All For Luck (IRE) by High Chaparral
- Owner
- John P Mcmanus
- Foaled
- 6 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Coolaghknock Glebe, Co Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 7 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 70%
- Ratings
- Perf 134
Harry Sexton (7)
Thomas Gibney 1/8
Kinturk Kalanisi has been pulled up last time out after a seventh two starts back, and he returns from 197 days off, though a third four starts back shows he has ability. He has run over today's trip and going, but he is winless in his last four and carries 143 lb off 133.
- Sire
- Kalanisi (IRE)
- Dam
- Dew On The Grass (IRE) by King's Theatre
- Owner
- John Sabrina Daly
- Foaled
- 28 May 2018
- Stable
- Trim, Co. Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 8 runs (13%)
- Trainer running to form
- 33%
- Ratings
- Perf 136
Simon Torrens
J Motherway 0/1
Pulled up last time out and absent for 197 days, Uhavemeinstitches is hard to fancy, though she did win two starts back and has run over today's trip and going. Carrying 141 lb, she is rated 14th of 18 on our figures.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Bluesea Cracker (IRE) by Buster King
- Owner
- John P Mcmanus
- Foaled
- 8 May 2020
- Stable
- Cloyne, Co. Cork
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 1 runs (0%)
- Ratings
- Perf 131
Sam Ewing
Noel Meade 4/14
Sportinthepark is hard to fancy, ranked last of 18 on our figures, with a fifth last time out following a pulled up and an unplaced run, though he did win four starts back and has run on today's going before. Carrying 140 lb off 130 after 20 days off, he has plenty to prove.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Miss Oscarteea (IRE) by Oscar
- Owner
- P L Polly
- Foaled
- 1 May 2019
- Stable
- Castletown, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 4 wins from 14 runs (29%)
- Trainer running to form
- 39%
- Ratings
- Perf 127
Sean O'Keeffe
P A Fahy 0/11
He's Gorgeous is winless in his last five and ranks only 15th of 18 on our figures, which makes him hard to fancy, though back-to-back thirds are a better guide. He has run on today's going before and returns after 28 days carrying 140 lb.
- Sire
- Kayf Tara (GB)
- Dam
- Ten Times Better (IRE) by Beneficial
- Owner
- George Moore
- Foaled
- 29 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 11 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 41%
- Ratings
- Perf 129
Josh Williamson (3)
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Kish Bank is hard to fancy after 198 days off and an unplaced effort last time out, with a pulled up three starts back adding to the doubts. A second two starts back and a win four starts back show ability, and he has run over today's trip and going.
- Sire
- Mount Nelson (GB)
- Dam
- Surtee Du Berlais (IRE) by High Chaparral
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 15 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 128
Patrick M O'Brien (5)
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Patter Merchant has run over today's trip and going before, but he's winless in his last five, a seventh last time out following a pulled-up, and returns after 223 days off. A third four starts back is his best recent effort, and 140 lb looks a stern ask.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Bowenscourt (IRE) by Westerner
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 27 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 135
Ethan O'Sullivan (7)
Gordon Elliott 11/69
Will Do arrives in better heart, second last time out and third two starts back after a pair of pulled-up efforts, and he has run over today's trip and going. Yet he is winless in his last five and carries 140 lb off 126, while our rating ranks him only 12th of 18.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Alleygrove Lass (IRE) by Alderbrook
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 10 Jun 2017
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 11 wins from 69 runs (16%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 134
Phillip Enright
Padraig Butler 0/0
Fifth in each of his last two runs, with a second three and four starts back, Da Capo Glory has run creditably of late without getting his head in front in his last five, and he has run over today's trip and going. A 21-day break is fine, but 140 lb is a big weight to carry for a gelding yet to win in his last five.
- Sire
- Fame And Glory (GB)
- Dam
- Oscar Ladensa (IRE) by Oscar
- Owner
- Red Strand Syndicate
- Foaled
- 28 Mar 2017
- Stable
- Bandon, Co Cork
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 0 runs (None%)
- Trainer running to form
- 34%
- Ratings
- Perf 138
Caragh Monaghan (7)
Ian Patrick Donoghue 0/11
Vaureal was unplaced last time out after a win two starts back, and a 45-day break does little to help his case, while 140 lb is a hefty burden. He has run over today's trip and going, but ranking 17th of 18 on our figures makes him hard to fancy.
- Sire
- Kapgarde (FR)
- Dam
- Loin De Moi (FR) by Loup Solitaire
- Owner
- D J Gillen
- Foaled
- 23 Feb 2019
- Stable
- Clonalvy, County Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 11 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 21%
- Ratings
- Perf 127
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.