Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase

Useful chaser at his best, but hard to win with; record of 1-19 in chases is off-putting, placed seven times; tailed off in a strong handicap at Fairyhouse in January (2m1f, yielding); out of his depth along with Drumgill in a Grade 3 contest at Naas 13 days ago.

Better form over shorter distances after being pulled up in the 3m4f Munster National; placed over C&D and Punchestown (2m5f, soft to heavy) before winning a competitive handicap chase at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding to soft) in November; set tough tasks on last three starts, this looks more realistic.

Three chase wins, the latest in 2024; useful form in two handicap hurdles last summer; fine Flat run in August; out of form over fences on last three starts in 2025; toward the rear in a recent hurdle outing; plenty to prove now.

Returns to chasing here after failing to exploit his lower hurdles mark in handicaps at Punchestown and Fairyhouse, warm favourite on the second occasion; winner and twice runner-up in a three-race campaign over fences last season; trip-versatile, but probably best over further than this.

Second on his first two starts over fences last April/May; remote seventh behind Kopek Des Bordes at Navan in November; below-par when sharing favouritism in a Punchestown conditions hurdle in December; ran out of steam late on handicap chase debut over 2m5f at Thurles, 2m may suit better.