De Benno out for repeat win on eve of 14th birthday in Tim Duggan Memorial

Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase
2.40 Limerick | 2m31/2f | 5yo+ | ATR

The last two winners are back for more.

Rewind 12 months and we saw De Benno make every yard and gallop 14 rivals into submission in this lucrative handicap. But can he repeat the feat given he is due to turn 14 in a few days' time?

De Benno is only 2lb higher now but his return to action over hurdles at Cork in November left the impression his best days may be behind him. It would be a terrific training achievement by the popular James Grace were he to get the gallant grey back to peak form.

It was Westerner Point who won the race in 2016 when he fended off the persistent challenge ofMontys Meadow by half a length. That pair renew rivalry two years on.

Watch De Benno win last year's race

Little did anyone think they would see Landofhopeandglory in a handicap chase running off a mark of just 130 after he won his first three races over hurdles for Joseph O'Brien, but his recent story over fences has been a tale of woe and he arrives with form figures of 0U00.

Landofhopeandglory: won first three races over hurdles but it's been a tale of woe over fencesCredit: Caroline Norris

His last win came in a Grade 3 novice chase at Roscommon in September of 2017.

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Deans Road
I was a bit disappointed with his last run at Cork but he seems to be back to himself now and, while he has top weight, I'd like to think he will run well with Dylan [Robinson] taking off 3lb.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Burren Life
He's been very consistent since we sent him over fences and, given that he's only a six-year-old, you would like to think there might be more to come. I thought he ran well behind De Name Escapes Me at Navan and this looked the logical next step.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Wishmoor and Landofhopeandglory
Wishmoor was a bit disappointing at Navan but hopefully he's better than that. Landofhopeandglory has lost his way a little so we're hoping he'll start to show a bit more spark.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Rooster Byron
He's had only one run over fences, so obviously inexperience is a bit of a worry, but he seems in good form and we thought this might be a nice race to aim him at.

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