Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 0.9s

Duca De Thaix^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| D

8/1

Steady and sure improver since going chasing this term, culminating in back-to-back successes at Fairyhouse either side of New Year. Going the right way and had more in hand over Cubomania last time than ½L margin suggested.

Form: 232211

Knocknanuss²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 148| D

11/2

Very impressive in his win at Fakenham and Newbury after falling early on chase debut, he may well have run into an above-average French import since when 7L second to Master Dino at Plumpton (2m3½f, good to soft). Not taken lightly.

Form: P4-F112

Le Richebourg³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 154| CD

11/10

Smart hurdler, looks destined for even better over fences. 3-4 so far, including C&D Grade 1 at Christmas, his only defeat being close second to Delta Work in 2m4f Drinmore at Fairyhouse, form that the winner has boosted again since.

Form: 0-51121

Mengli Khan^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| BF

5/1

Perhaps best of these over hurdle and good winner over 2m at Punchestown on chasing debut, since finished fourth of six in C&D Grade 1 won impressively by Le Richebourg, a form line that should be confirmed here.

Form: R233-14

Us And Them^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 148| D

11/1

Made all to beat Duca De Thaix on second chase start at Navan in November, since played second fiddle to Hardline back there and then stablemate Le Richebourg over C&D. Fair form in the book and not one to cross off with any haste.

Form: 20-4122

Voix Du Reve^h³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| D

6/1

Won his first two over these obstacles, including Grade 2 Punchestown novice (2m, good) when readily accounting for Hardline. No complaints when third behind Le Richebourg and Us And Them over C&D last month, so must improve to reverse the form.

Form: 103113

Non-Runners

Articulum²⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: T O'Brien J: D J Mullins

Paloma Blue³⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: H De Bromhead J: R M Power

Forecasts

Le Richebourg (11/10), Mengli Khan (5/1), Knocknanuss (11/2), Voix Du Reve (6/1), Duca De Thaix (8/1), Paloma Blue (8/1), Us And Them (11/1), Articulum (12/1)

LE RICHEBOURG was most impressive over C&D at Christmas, beating Us And Them (second), Voix Du Reve (third) and Mengli Khan (fourth) with plenty in hand despite a mistake late on. Joseph O'Brien's charge has been bested only once in four starts over fences, with his Drinmore second well-advertised by the winner since. He can rubberstamp his credentials today. Knocknanuss has been excellent in two wins over this trip for Gary Moore and perhaps bumped into a good one over a longer trip when second at Plumpton since. He is much-feared. Duca De Thaix is worth a shot in this company though he'll have to step up on his handicap successes.