Irish Stallion Farms EBF Klairon Davis Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 4m 18.7s

Ben Dundee^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott

9/2

Built on promising start to chase career at Down Royal by winning nine-runner novice chase at Punchestown (2m4f, good) three weeks ago. This contest likely been targeted for a while. Big player despite drop in trip.

Form: 2000-31

Dr Mikey¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D J McInerney| T: Ms M Flynn

10/1

Made every yard and jumped superbly well for winning start over fences at Gowran Park a fortnight ago over 2m4f, this is tougher but entitled to improve and be respected once more if getting soft lead.

Form: 1-74661

Hardline^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

11/10

Smart sort, winning start over fences at Galway (2m, good) though rather caught for pace when 7L second to Voix Du Reve at Fairyhouse in Grade 2 since. Step up in trip looks the way to go.

Form: 1138-12

Or Jaune De Somoza¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

9/1

Lightly-raced sort, made impressive start over fences C&D third (good to soft) behind Jetz and Duca Du Thaix in beginners contest. More to come and that form is decent.

Form: 53150-3

Us And Them²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| CD

11/4

C&D winner early last month on second start over fences, form franked since and should have further progress in him with trainer in excellent form now.

Form: 1120-41

Forecasts

Hardline (11/10), Us And Them (11/4), Ben Dundee (9/2), Or Jaune De Somoza (9/1), Dr Mikey (10/1)

Hard to put a line through any of these in truth. Hardline was done for pace last time out and might need a bit further in time, though it was a smart rival that left him behind at Punchestown. Ben Dundee scored with plenty in hand at the Kildare track himself and is a big danger, though the drop in trip poses a slightly different question. US AND THEM won a novice event over C&D last month and has scope for plenty improvement, with the form having worked out nicely.