14:00 Navan

Sunday 24 November 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 35.50s

Ballyneety²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: J P O'Brien

50/1

Just a maiden hurdle win to his name at Gowran Park last November but coped well in handicaps subsequently. Would have finished closer but for a bad last-fence mistake on chase debut at Wexford last month, and sure to do better.

Form: 15238-0

Brex Drago¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell

100/1

Fairly useful hurdler, but not bred for this game, and well beaten on chase debut at Galway. Has been let down by jumping on both starts since, and hard to make a case for him on those efforts.

Form: 50F-5FU

Capuccimix²⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead

33/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Clonmel in January but was beaten out of sight in a better race at that track the following month. Clearly better than he could show on that occasion, and not one to dismiss out of hand.

Form: 17-

Cash Back^h²⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

11/10

After winning at Thurles on yard debut in March, he was a good second in a Grade 2 contest at Fairyhouse. Below that form on final start, but type to make up into a decent chaser this year, and merits respect now switching disciplines.

Form: 722/12-5

Demain Des L'Aube^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

11/4

Generally consistent hurdler in France in 2018, albeit ouclassed when tried in Grade 1 company. Made a satisfactory debut for new connections when second to Dream Conti on chase debut at Cork. Sure to make his presence felt.

Form: 25271/2

Empirion¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: M J Smith

100/1

Just a moderate hurdler, and while he ran one of his better races in that sphere at Fairyhouse recently, he doesn't appeal as capable of making an impact in this company now chasing.

Form: 6000-08

I'm A Game Changer^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| D

11/2

Newbury novice hurdle winner for Philip Hobbs last year, and matched his hurdles form at the first time of asking over fences, finishing a creditable third to Fakir D'Oudairies and Melon over C&D. Shortlisted again.

Form: 2261F-3

La Tektor^t²⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: A J Martin

33/1

Four seconds in a row before shedding his maiden tag in a 2½m maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in April. Flopped on handicap bow at Punchestown following month, though, and bit to prove on chse bow after a break.

Form: 22221-0

Prospectus¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| C

66/1

Has been campaigned mainly on the Flat of late and ran creditably in late October at Galway. Ran a stinker returned to hurdles at Naas recently, though, and hard to back him after that display.

Form: 2832/0-0

Red Jack¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N P Madden| T: N Meade

33/1

Dual bumper winner, and landed Naas maiden on hurdles bow, but lightly raced and not figured since. Only got as far as the first on latest chase start at that venue, and may be low on confidence.

Form: 115/6-6F

Triplicate²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| D

8/1

Ran with credit in top-class company as a novice, and ran respectably when third to Coeur Sublime in WKD Hurdle at Down Royal recently. Big chance if taking to fences, although Galileo gelding not exactly bred for it.

Form: 12245-3

Valdieu^t²⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| D

14/1

Bumper winner who looked promising when winning on his hurdles bow at Naas in January, but he's not maintained that upward curve, and not seen since a distant fourth of 8 at Punchestown in May. Makes his chase debut.

Form: 11703-4

Caravation¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: J P Dempsey| C

14/1

Dual hurdles winner here in March, but ran just respectably when sixth to Fakir D'Oudairies here on chase debut, and needs to step up on that.

Form: 22110-6

Cocohulababy^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade

66/1

Won a weak maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in September, and ran respectably next time, but down the field on AW at Dundalk recently, and facing a stiff task for all she receives all the allowances on her fencing bow.

Form: 4213

Forecasts

Cash Back (11/10), Demain Des L'Aube (11/4), I'm A Game Changer (11/2), Triplicate (8/1), Valdieu (14/1), Caravation (14/1), Capuccimix (33/1), La Tektor (33/1), Red Jack (33/1), Ballyneety (50/1), Prospectus (66/1), Cocohulababy (66/1), Brex Drago (100/1), Empirion (100/1)

Willie Mullins has won this with Ballycasey, Vautour, Douvan, Min and Al Boum Photo in recent years, and the fact that he relies on CASH BACK here looks significant in light of that stellar roll of honour. I'm A Game Changer and Demain des L'Aube both shaped with plenty of promise behind smart sorts on their respective chase debuts, and can take advantage of any weakness in the selection.