Liam & Valerie Brennan Memorial Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 45.40s

Blow By Blow^b,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| C| D

1/1

Graded hurdles winner with rating in 150s, did things with minimum of fuss on chase bow when odds-on for Galway beginners contest (2m6½f, yielding) and fully merits cut at this prize now.

Form: 61147-1

Cap D'Aubois^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: A McNamara| OR: 132| D

33/1

Won a beginners' chase for Willie Mullins at Killarney in August, before disappointing at Listowel. Shown Closutton exit door thereafter and came up short in Listed Wexford contest on bow for new handler. Tough ask again.

Form: 273-134

Cubomania^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

6/1

Has won four times over fences since wind operation, including last time out Cheltenham novices' contest over 2m4f. This looks to be stiffest task yet and stablemate Blow By Blow looks to have more scope.

Form: 161131

Nick Lost⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| BF| C

7/2

Front-runner, won here in June over similar trip and is 2-3 over fences. Respected once more but a surprise were something not able to claim him in this field.

Form: 54-1112

Orion D'Aubrelle⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

10/1

Stayed on well to score on second chase start at Listowel (2m6f, soft) and should have further progress in him. One of two for champion trainer, looks first pick.

Form: 504-531

Some Neck¹⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

7/1

Won on chase bow at Gowran Park (2m4f, heavy) early in the year but tends to make jumping errors and unlikely he'll get away with those on return to action, second Willie Mullins runner in line-up.

Form: 15/14U-6

Forecasts

Blow By Blow (1/1), Nick Lost (7/2), Cubomania (6/1), Some Neck (7/1), Orion D'Aubrelle (10/1), Cap D'Aubois (33/1)

Cheltenham Festival winner BLOW BY BLOW made a fine start to his chasing career at Galway last month and, while this is a step up in class, he looks to have a bright future in this sphere and is the one to beat. Gordon Elliott's second runner Cubomania is not readily dismissed after a good novice success at Cheltenham last time. Nick Lost is likely the one that will set the pace and shouldn't be granted too much rope while Orion D'Aubrelle appears the more likely of Mullins pair to go well.