Ten Up Novice Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 52.60s

Captain Cj²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin| D

10/3

Aside from falling at Punchestown on his penultimate he has been showing progressive form over fences with his best effort to date coming last time over course and distance; a repeat of that effort should give him every chance.

Form: 1-223F2

Discordantly⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington

10/1

Has been showing steadily improving form over fences and would likely to have been involved in the finish if not falling two flights from home last time at Punchestown; fair chance if jumping a clear round.

Form: 81-963F

Elwood²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

6/1

Off the mark for connections at the second time of asking over fences when landing a Thurles 2m4½f beginners contest in January; failed to follow up next time at Naas when upped in class; needs to brush up his jumping but has reasonable chance.

Form: 239713

First Approach^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| D

6/1

144-rated hurdler who won his fair share of races; has some of the best hurdles form on show; fair effort on chase debut at Navan last month after long break and should be sharper here; interesting contender.

Form: 6140-43

Minella Fair^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: N Meade| OR: 139

4/1

Will appreciate this drop back to novice company having acquitted himself well against more experienced rivals when third in valuable handicap at Gowran Park last time out; looks the one to beat if repeating that effort.

Form: 6-134P3

Speak Easy³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| C| D

2/1

Needs to bounce back from heavy fall last time out at Punchestown but has taking to fences reasonably well and while not the most obvious winner should run his race given a clear round.

Form: 1532/3F

Non-Runners

Milan Native¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: G Elliott J: Keith Donoghue

Forecasts

Speak Easy (2/1), Captain Cj (10/3), Minella Fair (4/1), Elwood (6/1), First Approach (6/1), Milan Native (6/1), Discordantly (10/1)

Provided his last race in the Thyestes Handicap at Gowran Park did not take too much out of him then this drop back to novice company might be the key to MINELLA FAIR recording his first win since October. That win came at Limerick and he has produced solid performances on all his subsequent appearances and further rain will not lessen his chance of success. Captain Cj put in a fine effort last time out over course and distance and while probably needing to improve again, should put up a good account of himself. Discordantly needs to improve his jumping but if putting a clear round, he has the ability to win a race at this level.