Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 27.3s

Diamond Turf^p1,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| D

11/4

No great shakes over hurdles but has put in three respectable efforts over fences of late; he needs to improve his jumping somewhat and first-time cheekpieces added here which may help..

Form: 43P-334

Great Khan^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Phillip Enright| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 120| D

7/2

12-race chase maiden but running well in defeat in a number of starts over the larger obstacles since October; fair second last time out at Cork and should be winning races sooner rather than later.

Form: 822P22

Kagney³⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 116

25/1

Nothing of note in a number of chasing starts including being tailed off last time out at Fairyhouse;. plenty to prove in this contest based on what we've seen to date.

Form: 1/2F9P6-

Western Sea³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 114| D

9/2

Likes to race prominently and showed plenty of ability when landing a Sligo 2m5f beginners contest on good to yielding ground in September; most recent form is poor and plenty to prove at present.

Form: 2165F3

Castle Oliver¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 113| D

6/4

Took a while to get the hang of things over fences but proved himself to be a progressive sort when easily winning last time out at Fairyhouse; will not want the ground to get any faster but looks the one they have to beat.

Form: 60-0901

Forecasts

Castle Oliver (6/4), Diamond Turf (11/4), Great Khan (7/2), Western Sea (9/2), Kagney (25/1)

CASTLE OLIVER proved himself a decent prospect when impressively winning at Fairyhouse two weeks ago over 2m5f. Although this trip may be on the short side and the ground not totally to his liking he may still have too much class for his rivals. Although still looking for his first win over fences, Great Khan could be the chief danger. He has filled the runner's up position on his last two outings and certainly deserves to win a race. Diamond Turf has plenty of ability but really needs to improve his jumping to get competitive. Perhaps the first-time cheekpieces can concentrate his mind.