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15:20 Thurles (IRE)

Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase

  • 6 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 110y
  • Going: Yielding
  • Surface: Turf
  • €13,001 added
  • Winner: €8,969
  • 2nd: €2,079
  • 3rd: €909
  • 4th: €520
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 4m 18.30s
  • Off Time: 15:20:24
  • 6 Ran
1
Silk - WHITE, royal blue stars, royal blue sleeves, royal blue cap, white stars
5/1
  • Form 52096U
  • Age 13
  • Weight 11-10
  • Official Rating 109

led, joined from 4th, soon headed, raced in 2nd after, lost place but still prominent when slightly tight for room before straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, one pace

2
Silk - RED & WHITE HOOPS, white sleeves, striped cap
7/1
  • Form 0-635F3
  • Age 11
  • Weight 11-9
  • Official Rating 108

held up, moderate 4th at 7th, closed approaching 4 out, 2nd travelling smoothly before straight, led after 2 out, headed last where pecked slightly, soon edged left, one pace

3
Silk - MAROON, pink sleeves, white cap
  • Form 2645F-5
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 106

held up, slow jump 3rd, pecked 5th, pushed along from 6th and soon dropped to rear, behind from before 8th, completely tailed off

4
Silk - PURPLE, red hoop, hooped sleeves, red cap
  • Form 2-87692
  • Age 9
  • Weight 11-1
  • Official Rating 100

chased leaders, soon moderate 3rd, jumped slightly right at times, closed to dispute 2nd at 8th, pushed along approaching 4 out in 3rd, under pressure in 4th when fell 2 out

5
Silk - Brown, light green cross sashes, striped cap
  • Form 7B26P9
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-7
  • Official Rating 92

prominent, on terms from 4th, led before next, pushed along before straight, headed after 2 out, rallied from before last where led and good jump, stayed on well run-in

6
Silk - YELLOW, black chevron & chevrons on sleeves, yellow cap, black spots
  • Form P28P33
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-1
  • Official Rating 86

chased leaders, soon moderate 4th, dropped to moderate 5th at 7th and pushed along, mistake 8th, soon no impression, not fluent and slightly impeded 2 out where left 4th, no extra

In depth

Verdict

Luke's Benefit has won nine times in a career that started in 2009 and completed a hat-trick in the middle of last season. He's been gradually slipping in the ratings and could have one last hurrah in him. Akinspirit only has one less victory to his credit though he's never won over fences and hasn't won a race of any description since 2012. Willow Grange is still a maiden but is still a youngster in chasing terms and should have some improvement in him. ROLLING ROCKET and West Council weren't separated by far when occupying the places behind The Parishioner at Navan. The former can confirm the form and land this, though both appeared suited to the testing ground and wouldn't want conditions to dry out. Killtilane Rose is still a maiden after 35 career starts.

Formwatch

Luke's Benefit (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 4th and unseated rider, in a race won by Occidental Lady (9-8) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy, 10 ran.

Akinspirit (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th halfway, no impression in moderate 4th 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Pumbaa (11-9) at Tramore 2m beg chs in Oct.

Willow Grange (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression before straight, left moderate 5th 2 out, 5th of 7, 29l behind Mr Cosmopolitan (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 2f beg chase sft in Feb.

Rolling Rocket (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, soon 6th, closed travelling smoothly from 3 out, on terms next, just headed last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind The Parishioner (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f hcp chs hvy.

Killtilane Rose (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, headed before 5 out, ridden in 5th 4 out, no extra next, 9th of 17, 21l behind He Rock's (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 in Feb.

West Council (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, soon 5th, mistake 1st, slight mistake 3rd, ridden to get on terms 2 out, soon headed and no impression, disputing 3rd when left in that position from last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind The Parishioner (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f hcp chs hvy.