Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 8.40s

Tornado Flyer²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| C| D

7/4

Twice came up short in graded novice hurdles last season after winning debut but is 2-2 from over larger obstacles this term. Won here on debut and followed with Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novices' Chase at Navan last month. The one to beat.

Form: 1/1P-411

Bay Hill⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J S McGarvey| T: P Roche| D

50/1

Victorious at Wexford in June 2m good-ground beginners' chase (two subsequent winners behind) and won over hurdles/on Flat afterwards. Off since October and this is tougher but could be capable of progress in this sphere.

Form: 0-33114

Cash Back^h⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

7/2

French import was Grade 2-placed as a novice hurdler last season and made winning start over fences at Navan (2m1f, soft; 11-10f) in November despite not always jumping fluently. Respected but champion jockey deserts him for Tornado Flyer.

Form: 22/12-51

Dunvegan²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: P A Fahy| D

10/3

Winner of 13-runner novice chase at Punchestown (2m, heavy; 13-8f) on debut over fences a month ago. Did it very easily and should progress here; goes on any shortlist.

Form: 1/10P-31

Ten Ten²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 140| D

7/1

Off the mark over fences at third attempt when taking 2m4f soft-ground beginners event at Navan last month; he had previously fifth behind Tornado Flyer here over 2m3f.

Form: 310/751

Zero Ten¹⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: E Mullins| D

11/2

Useful in bumpers/hurdles with four wins in six starts and placed in Fairyhouse Grade 2 novice in April over 2m4f. Beat 16 rivals (including Ten Ten) when taking 2m2f Beginners Chase at Galway Festival in July and off since. More to come.

Form: 1112-11

Forecasts

Tornado Flyer (7/4), Dunvegan (10/3), Cash Back (7/2), Zero Ten (11/2), Ten Ten (7/1), Bay Hill (50/1)

A fascinating contest and one that should prove informative. All six runners scored the last time they jumped fences and it would be folly to cross anything off the list. That said, TORNADO FLYER is progressing nicely and he earns the vote of Paul Townend over stablemate Cash Back in a race the champion trainer has pocketed three times in seven years. He can supplement his Navan Grade 3, with the drop in trip unlikely to inconvenience him. Dunvegan was impressive at Punchestown and is a threat, while Galway Festival winner Zero Ten is likely to make further progress and is proven to go well fresh.