WhatOddsPaddy Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 4m 18.40s

Hardline³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| CD

5/1

Smart form as a novice last season, and looked better than ever when chasing home Min in the John Durkan at Punchestown in December; fell at Leopardstown later that month and below par next time at Thurles; capable but something to prove.

Form: 7-232F4

Cadmium²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

3/1

Jumped well and better than ever when winning Topham Trophy at Aintree in April but two recent runs at Leopardstown have been well below his best; another with plenty to prove but won this race last season and hard to discount.

Form: 4121-57

Castlegrace Paddy^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: P A Fahy| D

5/1

Grade 2 winner at Cork in December 2018; needed the run earlier this month at Leopardstown after long break; has struggled when upped in class so this could be his grade; interesting contender.

Form: 14F6-34

Any Second Now^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: T M Walsh| D

3/1

Still in touch when badly hampered and unseated rider four out in the Paddy Power chase over Christmas and fair effort at the same track earlier this month; generally consistent and holds every chance.

Form: 1F-62U3

Articulum^t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: K J Brouder| T: T O'Brien| CD

5/2

Running with credit in defeat over hurdles and fences towards the end of the year but has failed to complete on his three latest starts over the larger obstacles; chance given a clear round but hardly full of confidence at present.

Form: P23FUF

Non-Runners

Ornua²²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: H De Bromhead J: D N Russell

Forecasts

Articulum (5/2), Any Second Now (3/1), Cadmium (3/1), Hardline (5/1), Castlegrace Paddy (5/1), Ornua (6/1)

Plenty depends on what condition Cadmium turns up. He won this race last season but he has been well beaten on his two appearances this season which does not auger well for his chances. Given that doubt then it may pay to side with ANY SECOND NOW who was running well in the Paddy Power Chase over Christmas before unfortunately unseating his rider. He showed no ill effects from that experience and ran well last time at the same venue earlier this month. Castlegrace Paddy will appreciate this step back in class and given he is a Grade 2 winner, this race is well within his compass.