Racecards
16:50 Fairyhouse (IRE)
Racing Again February 24th Novice Handicap Chase
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €11,999 added
- Winner: €7,392
- 2nd: €2,292
- 3rd: €1,092
- 4th: €492
- Form 17/2-144
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer C Byrnes
- Jockey P T Enright
led, pressed early straight, pushed along and headed approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in
- Form 40-6453
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey R Loughran
held up towards rear, headway on outer 3 out, travelled well and led approaching last, soon asserted run-in and kept on well
- Form 4P75-69
- Age 11
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer W Harney
- Jockey Mr D Crean
always towards rear, in touch entering straight, pushed along and no impression in rear after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
- Form 0-419F4
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 99
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 3 out, pushed along after 2 out and 4th before last, ridden and kept on run-in to go 2nd closing stages
- Form 457016
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 94
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along to challenge after 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace
Jimmyjames
13- Form 056766
- Age 6
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey A W Short
ran 4th, some headway on inner approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace run-in
In depth
Verdict
ALTO ESQUA made a successful chasing debut at Listowel in September but hasn't really kicked on though in better company. He's not on a bad mark for his handicap debut and should be capable of conceding weight all round. Head Turner, four times a winner over hurdles, didn't show much in her first three starts over fences though did a bit better on very heavy ground at Thurles last time. The Ballyboys finished tailed off on his only start over fences though has subsequently won over timber at Limerick but Don't Let Go has shown nothing in three starts over the bigger obstacles after landing a maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Formwatch
Alto Esqua (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up disputing 4th, slight mistakes 3rd and 8th, ridden in last before 2 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 12 1/2l behind Close Shave (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Head Turner (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching straight, 3rd and mistake 2 out, pushed along and no impression before last, ridden and no extra run-in, 3rd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Kopookris (10-9) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hvy in Jan.
Joxer (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 6th, 5th halfway, lost place before 4 out where slight mistake, soon ridden and no extra, 9th of 16, dist behind Close Shave (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Oct.
Don't Let Go (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, moderate 4th 5 out, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 4th of 6, dist behind Asthuria (11-7) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
The Ballyboys (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression approaching straight, no extra, tailed off, 6th of 17, dist behind Wings Like Arion (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Jimmyjames 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, no impression approaching straight, no extra from 3 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Montalbano (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan.