BETDAQ Sportsbook Rated Novice Chase

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 5m 28.5s

Scoir Mear¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: T Mullins| OR: 134| D

33/1

Far from prolific and well held at higher level since winning at Navan last March. Would get 5lb from fellow exposed sort Whisperinthebreeze in a handicap and the unexposed runners also appeal more.

Form: 671-B76

Whisperinthebreeze^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 139

5/1

Won the valuable Abbey International Leopardstown Handicap Chase last season before signing off with a ninth place finish in the Irish National here. May prefer further now but hard to see him not going well.

Form: 5221F9-

Choungaya^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J P O'Brien

3/1

Second to former Grade One bumper scorer Tornado Flyer on chase bow at Naas last month. Grade Three placed hurdler bred to be better over fences and shortlisted here.

Form: 356F7-2

Cuneo¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

9/1

Winner of two of his eight starts over hurdles and ran a pleasing race in the Grade 3 Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham festival in March finishing fourth. Underwhelming chase bow at Fairyhouse but sure he's better than that.

Form: 5154-00

Dorrells Pierji²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

11/4

Highly tried over hurdles after winning at Galway but his third to Mr Adjudicator in a valuable festival handicap here latest was improved form. Won lone point by 30L so every chance he's a better chaser and highly respected here.

Form: 51680-3

Galvin¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

7/2

Dual novice hurdle winner fell on chase debut before finishing fourth to rapidly progressing Ronald Pump at Fairyhouse. Must improve on that but suspect his best days still lie ahead.

Form: 1162-F4

Salsaretta²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

9/1

Dual hurdler winner came up short in four Grade Ones last season but she still ought to prove competitive at this level on chase bow although Townend prefers Dorrells Pierji.

Form: 11U79-P

Forecasts

Dorrells Pierji (11/4), Choungaya (3/1), Galvin (7/2), Whisperinthebreeze (5/1), Salsaretta (9/1), Cuneo (9/1), Scoir Mear (33/1)

A useful hurdler last season; DORRELLS PIERJI is likely to be better still over fences based on his wide margin point win on his only start between the flags and he gets the nod here for Willie Mullins who has a fine team at Punchestown this afternoon. Experienced Whisperinthebreeze has smart handicap form and he rates the biggest threat although Choungaya is also respected.