At The Races Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 6m 59.20s

Bellshill³⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/8

Smart hurdler, progressed nicely in novice chasing campaign last season, winning two from four outings and ending season with 10L third behind Might Bite in the RSA at Cheltenham. Off since, champion trainer should have him straight for return.

Form: 2/111F3-

A Genie In Abottle³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| C

5/1

Resumed with wins at Galway (2m6½f, soft) and Wexford (2m7f, soft) in October, though showed little in big-field handicaps at Newbury (Ladbrokes Trophy) and Gowran (Thyestes) either side of Christmas. More at home in this smaller field perhaps.

Form: 53-1199

Val De Ferbet^t⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: A McNamara| C

10/1

Four wins from 10 starts over fences, last spotted chasing Bachasson home in four-runner Listed chase at Thurles in November over 2m6f (soft to heavy). Handles conditions and not rule out if anywhere near his best.

Form: 011-523

Champagne Harmony²⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: S J Mahon

33/1

Two wins from eight chase starts last year, including over 2m4f on heavy at Navan in April. Lost his way a bit when last spotted and returning from a break, no surprise if he needs this run.

Form: 15-1P7U

Lord Scoundrel^t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott

8/1

Galway Plate winner in 2016, hasn't got his head in front in seven runs since. Pulled up in two most recent outings, including Listed Tramore contest on New Year's Day, he has to bounce back though stable is in excellent form.

Form: 230-8PP

Mala Beach²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| C

9/4

Pulled up this month in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, he's previously landed the Troytown at Navan (3m, soft to heavy) and deserves serious consideration judged on that effort. Yard in form and should go well with Russell up.

Form: 2FP/21P

Forecasts

Bellshill (11/8), Mala Beach (9/4), A Genie In Abottle (5/1), Lord Scoundrel (8/1), Val De Ferbet (10/1), Champagne Harmony (33/1)

An intriguing renewal of the Bobbyjo Chase, a race Willie Mullins has won five times in the last seven runnings. The Closutton supremo saddles Bellshill here and he is much-respected on his first start since last season's RSA Chase (third) at Cheltenham. He's likely to be short enough in the betting on his first start in a competitive heat and, for that reason, is opposed with MALA BEACH. The Troytown winner didn't fire in the Irish Gold Cup last time but surely wasn't himself there. With his trainer in excellent form, he can bounce back to win this. A Genie In Abottle is another likely to produce an improved effort now returned to a smaller field while Val De Ferbet has form in the book to stand him in good stead at his best.