Ryanair Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 4m 7.0s

Chacun Pour Soi⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| D

3/1

French import, could scarcely have been more impressive than when scoring on stable debut at Naas (2m, good to yielding) in March. Clearly faces a much stiffer test of his ability now.

Form: 1253/1-

Defi Du Seuil⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 162| D

9/4

Thriving over further this term, latest impressive success in the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham Festival in March. Much-respected, but must prove as adept down to two-miles.

Form: 7/51211-

Duc Des Genievres⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| D

5/2

Improving with experience over fences, notching a very strong victory in the Arkle at Cheltenham for this rider in March. Standard-bearer on that evidence at this trip.

Form: 56/2311-

Duca De Thaix^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| D

50/1

r of Fairyhouse wins either side of New Year, amidst a consistent nine-race chasing career to date. Should continue to come up shy at this level however.

Form: 211433-

Ornua²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 154| D

7/1

4-9 over fences, faller in the Arkle (making running at the time) but quickly put that behind him when defeating Us And Them to win Aintree Grade 1 (2m, good) since; making every yard. Dangerous to assume he won't do it again.

Form: 2122F1-

Us And Them^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S A Shortall| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 151| BF| CD

16/1

Beat Duca De Thaix to get off the mark at second time of asking over fences at Navan in November. Second-choice at all the big dances over 2m since, including to a pair of these at Cheltenham and Aintree. Getting harder to predict a turnaround.

Form: 122222-

Voix Du Reve¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| CD

10/1

Faller in JLT at Cheltenham (won by Defi Du Seuil), made amends with smart display at Fairyhouse since but that form needs improving on and drop in trip asked different question.

Form: 113FU1

Forecasts

Defi Du Seuil (9/4), Duc Des Genievres (5/2), Chacun Pour Soi (3/1), Ornua (7/1), Voix Du Reve (10/1), Us And Them (16/1), Duca De Thaix (50/1)

He must prove he can repeat the trick now, but it would be foolish to go against Arkle winner DUC DES GENIEVRES given how well he did it that day. There should be more to come and his trainer is already flying here this week, ensuring he gets the nod. Stablemate Chacun Pour Soi has plenty untapped potential and may run a big race but the big danger is surely JLT winner Defi Du Seuil, the raider having plenty speed for this drop back in trip. Ornua will be up there from the get-go and won't go down easily.