Poplar Square Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 5.30s

Ornua¹⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 154| D

10/3

4-10 over fences, faller in the Arkle but quickly put that behind him when defeating Us And Them to win Aintree Grade 1 (2m, good); pulled up on final start of season; can go well fresh but may not want too testing a surface.

Form: 122F1-P

Cilaos Emery^h²⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

4/9

Winner of the Grade 1 novice hurdle at Punchestown last season; created a great impression on his chasing debut at Gowran Park last January; looks the class horse in the race and likely to prove popular in the market on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 25142/1-

Duca De Thaix^p,t¹⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| D

7/1

Has been generally disappointing since winning a decent handicap chase at Fairyhouse in January though two of those runs was when outclassed in Grade 1 events; this more his level but still has something to prove.

Form: 11433-5

Kildorrery²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: L P Dempsey| T: T M Walsh| OR: 132| D

25/1

Plenty to find on official ratings but is a consistent sort who will be plugging on without possibly being able to get really competitive at this level; has fitness on his side but a place his probably his best chance.

Form: 43-U493

Non-Runners

Winter Escape³⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: A A Howard J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Cilaos Emery (4/9), Ornua (10/3), Duca De Thaix (7/1), Winter Escape (10/1), Kildorrery (25/1)

CILAOS EMERY comes with a big reputation given his excellent hurdles form and the manner of his only run and win over fences at Gowran Park in January; slight concern he has been off for so long but the market should give a solid indication of his chance. Winter Escape has the benefit of a recent outing when not given a hard ride when third recently at Tipperary. He will run a better race here and could take advantage of the selection's rustiness. Grade 1 winner Ornua will be popular and had a big chance to win the Arkle last season before falling. If back to his best he rates a danger though he may struggle to give weight away all round.