Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 3.80s

Le Richebourg²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 150| BF| D

3/1

Classy hurdler although held by Mengli Khan in Grade 1 clash and won first two chases including Tipperary Grade Three over 2m4f. Second latest in Grade 1 Drinmore over same distance reads well and legitimate claims despite drop back in trip.

Form: 80-5112

Mengli Khan^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

7/4

Very high class as a novice hurdler including Grade 1 win and could hardly have been more impressive when making a winning start over fences at Punchestown given his flat pedigree and form. Leading Arkle fancy can pass this test.

Form: 1R233-1

Mind's Eye^t1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138| C

12/1

Second to Voix Du Reve at Galway before getting off the mark at Wexford. Remote sixth in the Drinmore latest gives him a mountain to climb to reverse with second that day Le Richebourg so even a place unlikely.

Form: 004-216

Us And Them^t1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: S A Shortall| T: J P O'Brien| D

16/1

Won second of three chase races to date, a Navan beginners chase. Second of five in a Grade 3 latest fair form but was beaten 10L behind a stablemate of Mengli Khan considered inferior to that rival.

Form: 120-412

Voix Du Reve^h³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

9/4

Useful hurdler although flattered to deceive on occasions but two from two over fences with emphatic wins at Galway and Punchestown with the latest seeing him a comfortable winner of a Grade 2 beating a fair yardstick. Main danger to Mengli Khan.

Form: 110311

Ellie Mac⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 126| C

12/1

Winner of her last two chases at Tipperary and Fairyhouse so clearly on the up but was a long way inferior to most of these over hurdles so unlikely to be quite up to this huge class rise.

Form: 4-05211

Forecasts

Mengli Khan (7/4), Voix Du Reve (9/4), Le Richebourg (3/1), Mind's Eye (12/1), Ellie Mac (12/1), Us And Them (16/1)

Considering his flat pedigree MENGLI KHAN jumped like an old hand over fences on his chasing debut at Punchestown and this Grade One winning hurdler looks Ireland's main challenger for the Arkle and indeed last year's winner of that contest also landed this so he is expected to win this en-route to the Cheltenham Festival further down the line. Voix Du Reve is a genuine threat having won a Grade Two impressively from useful sort Hardline; a stablemate of the selection. Also making a nice impression so far over fences is Le Richebourg and he should again run a big race.