Like A Butterfly Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 5m 25.10s

Rathvinden¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| D

4/5

High-class hurdler that has adapted very well to fences. Impervious to the state of the ground and this trip ideal. Does have form to reverse with Conrad Hastings but likely to be better suited to the predicted going. (Yard won this last year.)

Form: P-21131

Conrad Hastings³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143| C| D

7/1

Hurdling didn't go to plan but is a much better chaser. Very much on the right path and likely only a matter of time before he adds to his tally. Just ahead of Rathvinden when they met at Killarney but the state of the ground causes concern today.

Form: 350-112

Potters Point^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 148

5/2

Five lengths adrift of Rathvinden when they met at Galway and lots of work to do in his bid to reverse the placings. Been in good form since that encounter but still more required.

Form: 332211

The West's Awake⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: E J O'Grady| D

12/1

2-2 over fences but they came in weak company and this looks far more competitive. Rated just 118 over hurdles, which doesn't stack up when compared to Rathvinden's 151 at his best in that sphere.

Form: P50-311

Ask Nile²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brian Hayes| T: S Neville| OR: 135

16/1

Good effort to win over fences at the first time of asking but below that level twice since. Needs a dramatic amount of improvement to trouble the likely principle player here.

Form: 145-133

Cheiliuradh^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D H Kelly| OR: 102| D

125/1

Four starts over fences leave the mare with a mountain to climb and not hard to oppose despite her being in receipt of plenty of weight from all bar one of the rest.

Form: 4/044-54

Lilywhite Gesture^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 114| D

50/1

Taken to fences well and deserves credit for getting off the mark at Hexham last time out. This is much more competitive and very likely she will be out of her depth in this company.

Form: 443331

Forecasts

Rathvinden (4/5), Potters Point (5/2), Conrad Hastings (7/1), The West's Awake (12/1), Ask Nile (16/1), Lilywhite Gesture (50/1), Cheiliuradh (125/1)

All fingers point towards the classy RATHVINDEN, who is presented with a fair opportunity to strike as he continues to learn his trade as a chaser. Conrad Hastings is also going the right way over the larger obstacles and can give the selection plenty to think about if he handles the ground, while Potters Point has already been brushed aside by Willie Mullins' candidate, so needs a bit of luck on his side if he is going to reverse the form. The West's Awake is unbeaten over fences but faces more of an acid test on this occasion.