Ladbrokes Acca Boosty Ten Up Novice Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 17.1s

Agent Boru⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Mullins| T: T Gibney| OR: 125| D

25/1

Promising start over fences when fourth of 18 behind Discorama at Naas in November over 2m3f but has failed to impress in a number of starts since, bar a second of seven beaten ½L at Fairyhouse last month. More needed here.

Form: 0-4602P

Any Second Now^b⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR: 142| BF| C

4/1

Grade 2 winner over hurdles and placed at Grade 1 level over fences. Fifth of 27 beaten over 9L behind Auvergnat in a Leopardstown handicap chase over Christmas. Capable of bouncing back if in the mood.

Form: 238-525

Blow By Blow^b,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| C

10/1

Winner of the Martin Pipe over hurdles which routinely throws up smart chasers and looked just that when bolting up at Galway in October. May not be of Grade 1 pedigree but should be capable of holding his own here for leading connections.

Form: 7-1273P

Champagne Classic²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

13/8

Smart novice over timber, winning a Grade 1 Punchestown Festival novice over 3m in 2017 and beating a stellar cast to do so. Ran well in defeat on return to the track in a Grade 3 contest at Naas last month and one of the more likely types.

Form: 21311/3

Chris's Dream²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| BF| C| D

2/1

Course winner who has also won over this trip. Has looked a decent sort in a couple of chase starts including finishing second of 11 in a Grade 3 contest at Naas last month. Entitled to be in the mix.

Form: 2119-12

Moonshine Bay²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 138| D

14/1

Well held in a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown in December and needs to jump better than his dismal effort when pulled up at Naas last month in a Grade 3 contest over 3m. Hard to fancy against these rivals.

Form: 8-1414P

Forecasts

Champagne Classic (13/8), Chris's Dream (2/1), Any Second Now (4/1), Blow By Blow (10/1), Moonshine Bay (14/1), Agent Boru (25/1)

Grade 1 winning hurdler, CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC can build on a promising return to the track in a Grade 3 contest at Naas last month and can hold off the challenge expected from the improving Chris's Dream who shaped well in a Grade 3 contest last month. Any Second Now shouldn't be underestimated but needs to improve on a disappointing effort at Leopardstown when last seen in December.