Flogas Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 26.0s

Hardline^h³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

7/2

Grade 2 winner over hurdles and has won three of his four chase starts including a career best effort in Grade 1 company last time out at Limerick. May have preferred softer ground but expected to go well here stepped up in trip.

Form: 38-1211

Jetz²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 144

14/1

Off the mark on his second start over fences but beaten by the likes of Hardline and Delta Work in Grade 1 races subsequently and put in a below par effort in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last time. Others preferred.

Form: 8-U1343

Kaiser Black^t²³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: James J Doyle| T: P M J Doyle| OR: 147

33/1

Arrives bidding for a hat-trick after two impressive wins in handicap company but needs a big step up here and the drop back in trip doesn't look ideal.

Form: 434-211

Mortal^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 148| D

7/1

Won a nice race at Fairyhouse on return and not disgraced when runner-up behind Delta Work here last time out. Has 8L to find with that rival but won't mind the drop in trip here.

Form: F226-12

Winter Escape²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: A A Howard| OR: 150

9/2

Arrives here bidding for a hat-trick after a pair of Grade 3 wins on his last couple of starts. Going the right way since joining this yard and jumps well enough to suggest he could be a factor. Interesting contender.

Form: 0/3-2111

La Bague Au Roi³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 150| D

10/11

Grade 2 winner over hurdles and improving with every run over fences, landing a Kempton Grade 1 last time out. Perhaps not the strongest race for the grade though and looked well suited to 3m that day so may not appreciate the drop in trip.

Form: 177-111

Non-Runners

Delta Work³⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Riders Onthe Storm³⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: T J Taaffe J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

La Bague Au Roi (10/11), Delta Work (6/4), Hardline (7/2), Winter Escape (9/2), Mortal (7/1), Jetz (14/1), Kaiser Black (33/1), Riders Onthe Storm (66/1)

DELTA WORK can maintain his unbeaten record over fences here and land a third Grade 1 success after his impressive win here over the festive period. Winter Escape looks firmly on the up at present and rates as the main danger. Both La Bague Au Roi and Hardline may have preferred more ease in the ground than what's likely but they still have solid each-way claims after their respective Grade 1 wins last time out.