3.25pm Cork Tips & Betting Preview 16/10/2016

A good prize is up for grabs in the 2m1f handicap chase on Sunday’s Cork card. Our betting tips focus on a runner that reached the frame in this race last year. Read on for our full race preview.

IN SUMMARY: Tell Us More, who was placed in a Grade 3 novice chase for Willie Mullins when last in action is an interesting prospect for good-quality handicaps this season but we can’t be sure he’ll be fully tuned up for this and there is better value elsewhere. A DECENT EXCUSE is much better known for his exploits over longer trips but has been in good form over hurdles lately and is now 4lb lower than when finishing a very respectable fourth in this race a year ago. With Another Rebel likely to make this a good test from the front, there’s every chance A Decent Excuse can reward each-way support. Upazo has been dropped to a workable mark after his long absence and is also considered. Draycott Place might be too high in the weights now, having won easily on heavy ground when last in action.

1 Tell Us More – One of the group of Gigginstown horses recently moved from Willie Mullins’ stable to Gordon Elliott; easily won a beginners’ chase at Gowran (2m2f, heavy) in January and signed off with creditable second in Grade 3 novice company at Naas (2m4f, heavy) in March; will be favoured by the forecast overnight rain and could easily have more to offer this season.

2 Darwins Fox – Absent since a disappointing hurdle run in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) in summer 2015; obvious claims if still able to match the form of his excellent second in the Red Rum Chase at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April 2015 but is entitled to benefit from this outing and others have less to prove.

3 Upazo – Not at best when last seen in September 2015 and has fitness to prove after subsequent absence but represents the formidable Mullins-Walsh team and has been given a chance by the handicapper; seems quite versatile regarding trip/ground; no surprise if he figures.

4 Mr Diablo – Comfortably took advantage of good opportunity in four-runner beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in March and was placed in two subsequent handicaps (2m5f/2m7f), the first at the Punchestown festival; won’t mind what the weather does before his return from a four-month break but may need longer trips to be seen to best effect nowadays.

5 Draycott Place – Been in good form since the summer and deserved his success at Sligo (2m1f, heavy) 18 days ago; might have been flattered by the way that race panned out, though, and probably won a bit too easily for his own good; subsequent 9lb hike up the weights could make things tough in this stronger company.

6 Leap Dearg – Runner-up over C&D just under a year ago and also ran well when third at Naas (2m, soft) in February, but was a disappointing favourite when returning from break in a conditions chase at Ballinrobe in August and was soundly beaten in a novice hurdle last month; now has a point to prove; sports first-time hood.

7 Another Rebel – Created good impression when making all on chasing debut here (2m4f, heavy) in March and made quite pleasing return from break when second at Sligo (3m, heavy); however, it remains to be seen whether he has the speed to dominate this field from the front over today’s trip.

8 A Decent Excuse – Runner-up in three consecutive handicap hurdles in recent weeks (2m6f-3m) and seems to handle any ground; rarely seen over this sort of trip in recent years but was a very respectable fourth in this race in 2015 and is currently 4lb lower; not ruled out now back over fences.

myracing Forecast Prices: 9/4 Tell Us More, 9/2 Draycott Place, 5/1 Upazo, 6/1 Darwins Fox, Mr Diablo, 8/1 Another Rebel, 12/1 Leap Dearg, A Decent Excuse