EasyFix Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 13:02 | Winning time: 4m 26.20s

Duca De Thaix^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| CD

9/1

Won over C&D at the start of the year. Ran as though something was amiss when 42-length behind Kildorrery (finished third) at Naas (soft to heavy) on his seasonal return to action. Subsequently has lots to prove off the back of that.

Form: 1433-54

Doctor Phoenix^p,t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| CD

16/1

C&D winner who has finished last on each of his previous two starts. The most recent of those coming in the Fortria Chase. Obviously this is less demanding but he hasn't looked like winning for a while now and is therefore a bit risky.

Form: 2P5-U05

Mind's Eye⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138| CD

13/8

Brushed aside with considerable ease by the talented Dinons at Limerick (2m3f; heavy) recently. 2lb worse off with Kildorrery who he finished in front of that day. Respected with top yard firing on all cylinders at the moment.

Form: 55PR-72

Avenir D'Une Vie^p,t⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| CD

4/1

Looked to be returning to form earlier in the year, but he has subsequently been sold to new connections after finishing last in a competitive handicap hurdle at Listowel (2m; yielding). Bit to prove now as he goes back over fences.

Form: 30-2150

Kildorrery²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T M Walsh| OR: 132| D

9/4

2lb better off with Mind's Eye after finishing just behind that rival at Limerick (2m3f; heavy) on seasonal return in October. Put in his place by Cilaos Emery when last seen. This is much easier but he must reverse the form with Mind's Eye.

Form: 3-U4933

Noble Emperor^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: N P Madden| T: A J Martin| OR: 129| C| D

10/1

11lb lower than when last seen over fences. Returned from monster absence over hurdles at Naas (2m4f; soft to heavy) earlier this month when finishing down the field. Likely to need another run to reach peak fitness, and so he remains best watched.

Form: F1522/8

Forecasts

Mind's Eye (13/8), Kildorrery (9/4), Avenir D'Une Vie (4/1), Duca De Thaix (9/1), Noble Emperor (10/1), Doctor Phoenix (16/1)

Plenty of these have something to prove, not least Duca De Thaix who posted a dreadful effort when eased down on his seasonal debut at Naas. He is a talented sort though, and has held lofty company since arriving on these shores so should be given another chance. MIND'S EYE finished just in front of Kildorrery when the pair met at Limerick in October, and despite a 2lb pull in favour of the Ted Walsh runner, the former can confirm those placings and notch a second career victory over fences. Noble Emperor should be closely monitored in the betting given he is 11lb below his previous chase mark given he has had so much time off.