14:20 Naas

Sunday 27 January 2019

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 28.60s

Ballyward²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| C

7/2

Smart novice hurdler last season, running well in stayers' contests at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. Just denied in 3m1f Punchestown beginners' chase on New Year's Eve in return/chase bow by Shady Operator. Claims of going one better.

Form: 1/4144-2

Blow By Blow^b,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 143

12/1

Winner of the Martin Pipe over hurdles which routinely throws up smart chasers and looked just that when bolting up at Galway. Second next time at Punchestown before no match for Delta Work since in Grade Ones. Better chance now sights lowered.

Form: 47-1273

Champagne Classic⁶⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

8/1

Smart novice over timber, winning a Grade 1 Punchestown Festival novice over 3m in 2017 and beating a stellar cast to do so. Hasn't run since, but very much noted on return to action and trainer capable of him ready.

Form: 321311/

Chris's Dream⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| D

9/4

Behind Ballyward in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March, he had a couple of next-time-out winners behind him when making a winning start over fence at Navan (2m4f, yielding) in December. Much-respected back up to 3m.

Form: 62119-1

Discorama⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| C

5/1

Winner her over shorter trip on chase bow in November on good ground, before finishing down the field behind Delta Work in Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (2m4f, good). Up in trip, but sights lowered now.

Form: 3725-15

Last Man Standing⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G N Fox| T: M F Morris| D

50/1

Useful 116-rated novice handicap hurdler for powerful owner. Runner-up in Cork beginners' chase in November on debut over fences before a dismal display at Navan following month. Bit to prove taking on some of these.

Form: 214P-25

Moonshine Bay²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Geraghty| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 139| D

16/1

Jumped like a pro when winning at Thurles (3m½f, good) in December on second chase start. No match for Delta Work a week later in Leopardstown Grade 1, though closely matched with Blow By Blow on that form.

Form: P8-1414

Rathnure Rebel⁷²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| D

25/1

A solid novice over timber in 2016/17 season, his best form in that sphere leaves him shy of a few of these rivals. 724-day absence to counter now returning for chase bow, caution seems best.

Form: 671145/

Shady Operator²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 137

8/1

Beaten by Chris's Dream on chase debut at Navan over 2m4f, improved to narrowly earn verdict over Ballyward next time at Punchestown over this sort of trip. That rival was ceding fitness then, and may be out for revenge.

Form: 2122-31

The Conditional²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: A E Lynch| T: M Hassett| D

66/1

Well beaten in three starts so far over fences so far in trips from 2m4f-3m1f. Those contests were won by Chris's Dream, Moonshine Boy and Shady Operator and he has a job on to turn the form around.

Form: 40-24F4

Majurca³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

12/1

French import was still running with purpose when he crashed out on stable debut in Limerick Grade 1 novice last month. Up in trip and would benefit from a clear round and good experience here.

Form: 41-414F

Forecasts

Chris's Dream (9/4), Ballyward (7/2), Discorama (5/1), Champagne Classic (8/1), Shady Operator (8/1), Majurca (12/1), Blow By Blow (12/1), Moonshine Bay (16/1), Rathnure Rebel (25/1), Last Man Standing (50/1), The Conditional (66/1)

Champagne Classic has been off since a Grade 1 novice hurdle win at Punchestown in 2017 when he counted Penhill, Monalee, Al Boum Photo and Presenting Percy among the vanquished. Whatever became of that motley crew? It will be interesting to see how the market sees him on his return. Stablemate Blow By Blow has his sights lowered and should run well, with Shady Operator, Moonshine Bay and Discorama also considered. The two to focus on are Ballyward, who can improve for his introduction at Punchestown, and CHRIS'S DREAM. The form of the selection's Navan success looks strong and there is plenty more to come from this lightly-raced individual.