D Pack Packaging Rated Novice Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 53.40s

Niccolai^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D P Holden⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead

6/1

Improving novice, won on just his second start over fences landing a 15 runner beginners contest at Clonmel earlier this month. Not to be taken lightly stepping into this company.

Form: 0710-61

Stones And Roses⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

6/4

Winner on his second start over fences when landing a Cork beginners contest over 2m5f on soft ground last month. Open to plenty of improvement given respected connections.

Form: 602-521

Three Is Company^b¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott| OR: 119

10/1

Off the mark at the third time of asking in a Tramore beginners chase on heavy ground earlier this month beating 14 rivals 7½L. Likely to run well once again.

Form: 433351

Western Sea³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 114

3/1

Likes to race prominently and showed plenty of ability when landing a Sligo 2m5f beginners contest on good to yielding ground in September. out of form in three starts since and appears up against it.

Form: 02165F

Great Khan^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 120

5/1

Running well in defeat in a number of starts over the larger obstacles since October but may find one or two better suited to today's conditions.

Form: 4-0822P

Halsafari²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe| OR: 108| C

6/1

Yet to hit the frame in five dismal efforts over fences since making his debut in a Cork beginners contest in April. Beaten 40L here on St Stephens Day and unlikely to be troubling the judge on his quick return.

Form: P8-04P5

Forecasts

Stones And Roses (6/4), Western Sea (3/1), Great Khan (5/1), Halsafari (6/1), Niccolai (6/1), Three Is Company (10/1)

The Willie Mullins-trained STONES AND ROSES won on his second start over fences when landing a Cork beginners contest over 2m5f on soft ground last month and can continue his rich vein of form in this contest. The five-year-old will face stiff opposition from the Gordon Elliott-trained Three Is Company who was off the mark at the third time of asking in a Tramore beginners chase on heavy ground earlier this month. Last time out winner Niccolai can make her presence felt while Great Khan and Western Sea need to get back on track following set-backs recently.