Talented Asterion Forlonge out to stamp his class on €80,000 handicap chase

4.15 Punchestown
EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A) | 2m5f | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

This represents a drop in class for Asterion Forlonge, having spent the majority of his season in Grade 1 company, but he has not been a reliable sort and he'll need to put in an almost blemish-free round of jumping to oblige here.

JP McManus could have four representatives and Dostal Phil, trained by Philip Hobbs, is arguably most interesting. He is likely to appreciate the step up to 2m5f on the evidence of his promising Aintree third in the Red Rum Handicap Chase.

School Boy Hours, trained by Noel Meade and representing the same owner, has the talent to win a big handicap like this when all falls right too.

Philip Hobbs on Dostal Phil: 'He was a bit outpaced over two miles'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Jessica Harrington has produced a couple of aces from her jumping deck in handicaps this week and Port Stanley, who has been frustrating to follow while running well in defeat all season, deserves major respect off just 10st 6lb.

Walk Away, who was sent off the 100-30 favourite when falling six from home in the Munster National last October but hasn't been seen since, is one of two interesting contenders for Henry de Bromhead.

Mullins: it wouldn't be a surprise if Fan De Blues upset the odds

It's been another outstanding Punchestown festival for Willie Mullins and it has the potential to get even better in this €80,000 prize as he saddles a trio of talented operators.

The champion trainer has won the race eight times since the turn of the millennium and five of those – Real Steel, Kemboy, Avant Tout,
Alexander Taipan and Scotsirish – have shouldered top weight.

Mullins said: "Asterion Forlonge is topweight for his first run in a handicap chase. We have a good record with topweights in this race and this fellow likes the track. We are putting a tongue-tie back on here and he should run a nice race."

Antey provided Katie Walsh with a winner on her final ride before retiring at the 2018 Punchestown festival and will attempt to extend his fine record at the meeting, despite being a maiden over fences after eight attempts.

Willie Mullins on Fan De Blues (green silks): 'He jumps well and has plenty of experience'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's been disappointing all season," said Mullins. "It will be great if he can get into a place on a track he likes."

Fan De Blues is also yet to win over fences in eight starts but Mullins is not discounting a big showing from the mount of Brian Hayes.

"He jumps well and has plenty of experience," Mullins added. "It wouldn’t be a surprise if he upset the odds off his light weight."

What they say

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Dostal Phil
It's the first time he's gone further than two miles over fences. He was a bit outpaced over two miles at Aintree last time and I hope the longer trip will be in his favour. He seems in good form and yielding ground would be fine.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of January Jets and Walk Away
I left it up to Rachael as to who she'd ride from our two. Both are lovely horses and she rides January Jets. Walk Away had a hold-up since his last run in October but seems in good form now.

I'm A Game Changer: Grade 3 winner was a bargain buy at £12,500Credit: Patrick McCann

Andrew McNamara, trainer of I'm A Game Changer
He's been great fun for his connections. He's a second-season novice and is probably a bit exposed but he'll be dropped in off a strong pace and hopefully he'll be able to come home well to collect some prize-money.

Noel Meade, trainer of School Boy Hours and Ificudiwud
School Boy Hours runs here but ideally I think he's better over a longer trip. They'll probably go a strong pace, though, so hopefully that might suit. Ificudiwud doesn't like it soft or too firm so hopefully this will be okay for him. He's 5lb wrong at the weights so Jordan Gainford takes off 7lb.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Port Stanley
This has been the plan for him for a while. I think he is well enough handicapped. I don't think he stayed on very heavy ground during the winter but hopefully he can show what he's capable of here.

Read more on day four at Punchestown:

5.25 Punchestown: superstar Honeysuckle out to cap perfect season with another Grade 1 masterclass

6.00 Punchestown: Bob Olinger absence leaves the door open for Ballymore second Gaillard

6.35 Punchestown: Billaway's the best horse in the race but will the busy season take its toll?

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