Racecards
14:00 Leopardstown (IRE)
Sandyford Handicap Chase (0-123)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- €15,000 added
- Winner: €10,350
- 2nd: €2,400
- 3rd: €1,050
- 4th: €600
- Form 13-5583
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Ms L O'Neill
prominent, lost place 4 out and pushed along, soon prominent again, no impression from before straight
- Form 790-548
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer C A McBratney
- Jockey D J Casey
took keen hold, led, bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out
- Form 2-94094
- Age 10
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer A Kennedy
- Jockey M J Ferris
held up, closer order when briefly impeded by faller 2 out, went 4th into straight, no impression last, kept on same pace run-in
- Form 77-5764
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey M P Walsh
tracked leaders, slight peck 1st, a little slow 4th, progress from before 2 out where left in lead, narrowly headed last, soon no impression and dropped to 3rd closing stages
- Form 0-40522
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer A L T Moore
- Jockey D N Russell
soon chased leaders, closer in 2nd approaching straight where challenged travelling smoothly, led last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, comfortably
- Form 90-4106
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 114
held up, closer order from before 2 out, soon chased leaders, no impression in moderate 3rd at last, kept on run-in to go 2nd without troubling winner closing stages
- Form 65P602
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer N Henley
- Jockey S A Shortall
prominent, 3rd approaching straight, soon struggling and switched right, no extra in moderate 5th at last
- Form P00035
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer M Hourigan
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
soon towards rear, reminders 4 out, no extra approaching straight
Verdict
Slew Charm was fortunate to win at Downpatrick as Hold Em Cowboy would have won easily but for tipping up. But the latter has gained compensation so the form should stand up. TREAT YOURSELF was having just his fourth start over fences when narrowly beaten by the in-form Luke's Benefit at Naas and Arthur Moore's dual hurdles winner can go one better. Character Actor wasn't far behind in that latter race and should get involved but Golden Ticket had every chance and looks held. Barney's Honour is 21lb higher than his last winning mark over fences while The Way We Were looks held on a line through Luke's Benefit. Heavenly Way probably ran his best race over fences at Naas last week though it wasn't much of a contest.
Formwatch
Barneys Honour (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Soon mid-division, improved to track leaders before 7th, dropped to moderate 4th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 25l behind She's Got Grit (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 sft.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In rear, 7th halfway, 6th 3 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression when fell last, remounted to finish completely tailed off, last of 8, well behind Djakadam (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 3f beg chs in Dec.
Character Actor (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden in close 5th next, close enough 5th at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 3l behind Luke's Benefit (11-1) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-130 sft.
The Way We Were (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, moderate 7th next, moderate 4th at last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 12l behind Luke's Benefit (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Dec.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, close 4th and ridden on outer next, disputing 2nd at last, kept on in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Luke's Benefit (11-1) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-130 sft.
Golden Ticket (AUS) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, 7th next, no extra, 6th of 9, 6l behind Luke's Benefit (11-1) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-130 sft.
Heavenly Brook (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, moderate 6th approaching 3rd, closer order before straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, 2nd before last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Reality Dose (10-6) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 sft.
Hans Crescent (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden along, 5th 3 out, no impression when got slight bump 2 out, no extra, 5th of 11, 27l behind Playing (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy.
Slew Charm (FR) 18-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, progress into 5th and ridden briefly 4 out, led next, soon strongly pressed, left clear 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, reduced advantage closing stages, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-109 gd in Dec beating Tipped Up Harry (11-9) by 6l, 9 ran.