baroneracing.com Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 14.30s

Burrows Saint^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| C| D

10/1

Winner of three contests over the larger obstacles in the spring including the Irish Grand National over 3m5f in April. Well held when looking outpaced at Auteuil on last start in May. Needs to step up on that run to play a part here.

Form: 3/4111-5

Chef Des Obeaux²⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| D

25/1

Mixed bag of results in three starts at the turn of the year on his final starts for trainer Nicky Henderson. Looks a little out of his depth in this company, despite having relocated to Willie Mullins' care since.

Form: PP/3U1P-

Ronald Pump^h,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: M J Smith| C| D

9/2

Tough and genuine sort achieving a rating of 136 over hurdles before winning on debut over fences when landing a Fairyhouse beginners contest (2m5f, heavy) last month. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: 11411-1

Samcro^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| C| D

13/8

Facile win on debut over fences in a fault-free display at Down Royal at the start of November. Plenty to like representing a yard that has won this contest in five of the last nine renewals including the last two with Death Duty and Delta Work.

Form: 1F/225-1

Fakir D'Oudairies²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

6/4

Solid 149-rated Grade 2-winning hurdler. Made most on debut over the larger obstacles before going on to win in comfortable fashion beating 12 rivals by 3L, including top-class hurdler Melon. Fascinating recruit and a leading player.

Form: 1142-21

Non-Runners

Tintangle³¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: D N Russell

Forecasts

Fakir D'Oudairies (6/4), Samcro (13/8), Ronald Pump (9/2), Burrows Saint (10/1), Chef Des Obeaux (25/1), Tintangle (33/1)

Fascinating contest where SAMCRO can progress from a smart win on chasing debut to land the spoils in this Grade 1 contest. The seven-year-old can make it a hat-trick of wins in the contest for the Gordon Elliott yard following success in the last two years with Death Duty and Delta Work. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Fakir D'oudairies is an obvious danger following a comfortable victory on chasing debut at Navan, together with a generous 8lb pull from the selection. Ronald Pump a winner at this venue last month on first start over fences and the Willie Mullins-trained Burrows Saint can compete for minor honours.