thetote.com Fortria Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 11.40s

Ballyoisin³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger| OR: 168| CD

9/2

Recently seen beaten on a couple of occasions over hurdles but won a Grade B contest over fences in August. Winner of this contest over C&D 12 months ago when sent off at odds of 8/13 and likely to give another good account.

Form: 115-156

Duc Des Genievres¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162| D

7/4

Progressive over the larger obstacles last term that saw a 13L win the Grade 1 Arkle at the Cheltenham festival in March. Below-par effort when last seen at Punchestown in May but no surprise to see a big run on return to action.

Form: 6/2311-3

Hardline¹⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| C| D

8/1

Course winner that has also won over this trip. Grade 1 novice chaser, ran with credit when finishing second of 12 beaten 6½L in a Grade A Punchestown contest over the larger obstacles when last seen in May. Could be up against it in this company.

Form: 21137-2

Doctor Phoenix^p,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| D

40/1

Rated 156 at the start of last season the veteran appears to be regressing in the twilight of his career. Missed this contest 12 months ago because of the good ground.

Form: 72P5-U0

A Plus Tard¹⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160

5/4

Came to prominence when landing the Listed Close Brothers Novices' handicap at the Cheltenham festival in March. Ran with credit in a Grade 1 contest at Punchestown finishing third of eight the following month. May be capable of better still.

Form: 1/2121-3

Forecasts

A Plus Tard (5/4), Duc Des Genievres (7/4), Ballyoisin (9/2), Hardline (8/1), Doctor Phoenix (40/1)

The Enda Bolger-trained BALLYOISIN has won for the last three years around this time of year and can emulate the likes of Moscow Flyer, Big Zeb and Flemenstar in winning back-to-back Fortria's. The eight-year-old is likely to try and make all as he fights off the attentions of Grade 1 Arkle winner, Duc Des Genievres for the Willie Mullins yard and Cheltenham festival winner, the Henry De Bromhead-trained, A Plus Tard who runs for the first time over this trip for connections.