18:40 Punchestown

Tuesday 30 April 2019

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 6m 41.90s

Articulum^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: T O'Brien| OR: 146

20/1

Useful over hurdles, and quickly matched that form over fences despite coming late to the chasing game. Improved further when third to Duc des Genievres in the Arkle at Cheltenham, but unproven beyond 2m.

Form: 247-213

Chris's Dream²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147

12/1

Best effort to date over fences when winning Grade 2 Ten Up Novice at Navan in February. Looked a smart prospect there, and best to ignore a poor run in Grade 1 at Aintree when he jumped sketchily and offered little under pressure.

Form: 19-1215

Delta Work^h,t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| BF| C

13/8

Smart handicap hurdler who won his first three starts over fences, and lost little caste in defeat when third to Topofthegame in a strong renewal of the RSA at Cheltenham last month. Will continue to progress, and leading claims here.

Form: 12-1113

Discorama⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: P Nolan| OR: 149

12/1

Won on chase debut at Naas, and set to go close when falling in Grade 3 there in January. Excellent second in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month, and can go well if this becomes a test of stamina.

Form: 25-15F2

Drovers Lane⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 148| D

33/1

Progressed in good fashion over fences (took three of first four chasing starts) before finishing a well held sixth in the RSA, 21L behind Topofthegame. That run shows he faces another stiff test at this level.

Form: 217116

Getabird¹²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| BF| C

4/1

Impressed on chase debut over 2m here in December, and improved when ½L second of 7 to Hardline in 2m3½f Grade 1 at Limerick next time. Off since, and stamina for this trip far from assured given he can race freely.

Form: 017P-12

Winter Escape⁹

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

25/1

Has thrived since his move to current yard but step up to this level left questions unanswered when well held in Flogas at Leopardstown in February, and he was beaten over 30L when third of four finishers to Voix du Reve at Fairyhouse last time.

Form: 211153

A Plus Tard⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160

9/4

Beat Duc des Genievres at Naas in December, , and runner-up to Winter Escape in Grade 3 here in January. Improved again when powering clear in Close Brothers Novices' Handicap at Cheltenham last month, and looks a top-class performer in the making.

Form: 31-2121

Forecasts

Delta Work (13/8), A Plus Tard (9/4), Getabird (4/1), Discorama (12/1), Chris's Dream (12/1), Articulum (20/1), Winter Escape (25/1), Drovers Lane (33/1)

DELTA WORK has done nothing wrong over fences, and his third in the RSA at Cheltenham came in an extremely strong renewal of that event. He sets a solid standard, and if anyone can match him it may be the exciting A Plus Tard, whose Cheltenham win came in handicap company, but was as impressive visually as any performance at that meeting. Discorama was second in a gruelling National Hunt Chase, but is no slouch, and he can't be dismissed out of hand back in trip.