Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 30.8s

Castlebrook^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Phillip Enright| T: J J Mangan| D

10/1

Pleasing performance on chasing debut in a Wexford beginners contest in October when eased close home to complete a facile win on heavy ground before third of five beaten 3L at Wexford last month. More needed.

Form: 23/24-13

Demain Des L'Aube^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: H De Bromhead

50/1

Chase debut was full of promise when finishing 2nd of 11 at Cork in October but has failed to finish in a couple of races since at Navan and Thurles last month. Faces a tough ask in this company.

Form: 271/2PF

Faugheen⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C| D

2/1

Winner by 7½L on chasing debut at Punchestown last month, making a couple of noticeable mistakes on the way round. May have to give way to younger rival.

Form: 1/2F3P-1

Glamorgan Duke^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr L P Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 125

100/1

Has shown fairly useful form over fences the last twice, including when fourth at Fairyhouse on his latest start last month over the larger obstacles but looks a little out of his depth here.

Form: P-44342

Off You Go²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D J McInerney| T: C Byrnes| CD

14/1

Decent 151 rated Grade 2 placed hurdler. Appears to have a mountain to climb based on first couple of starts over fences last month.

Form: 8123-8F

Samcro^t²⁵

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

4/6

Facile win on debut over fences in a fault-free display at Down Royal at the start of November before a set back when no match for the jumping of Fakir D'oudairies at Fairyhouse in a Grade 1 novice chase. The one to beat.

Form: F/225-1F

Tintangle^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott

25/1

Useful 135-rated hurdler. Won well on first couple of starts over fences before struggling when stepping into graded company at Cork earlier this month. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 34-P113

Forecasts

Samcro (4/6), Faugheen (2/1), Castlebrook (10/1), Off You Go (14/1), Tintangle (25/1), Demain Des L'Aube (50/1), Glamorgan Duke (100/1)

Age may be against hurdling royalty Faugheen here as the Gordon Elliott-trained SAMCRO bids to get his chasing career back on track. The seven-year-old was still travelling well and holding every chance when coming down two out behind the impressive Fakir D'oudairies at Fairyhouse earlier this month. Castlebrook looks next best as his he looks to progress in his fledgling chasing career.