14:40 Naas

Sunday 23 February 2020

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Paddy Power Road To Cheltenham Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B)

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 5m 43.2s

Best Behavior²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 134| CD

7/1

Won at the fifth attempt for connections taking a 2m5f handicap chase at Leopardstown in December off a 15lb lower mark; followed up over course and distance last time; might not want it too heavy but excellent chance nonetheless.

Form: UU9511

Ministerforsport³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: Noel O'Neill| OR: 133

20/1

Very difficult to know which version of the horse will turn up given his inconsistency; has ability though and looks reasonably well handicapped at present but hard to place too much trust in.

Form: 35-30P7

Mormon⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131| BF

13/2

Tramore 2m5f maiden hurdle scorer in January 2019. Fair chasing bow when fifth of 18 at Fairyhouse in November and fair effort last time out at Thurles; reasonable chance if jumping continues to improve.

Form: 3127-52

An Fraoch Mor⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 130| D

11/2

Holding his form well in three starts since winning a Wexford maiden hurdle last march culminating in an easy win last time out at Navan; more needed here but is on the upgrade and looks one of the more likely types in this contest.

Form: 7413-21

Valdieu^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 130| CD

8/1

Responded well to first-time cheekpieces last time out over course and distance for a hard fought victory; will need to improve but had been showing a good attitude previously and is one to consider.

Form: 452F31

Star Max²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: O R Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 135

9/1

Only caught close home over course and distance last time out (closely matched with topweight Best Behavior); is still open to improvement but handicapper seems to have taken no chances and may have to settle for minor honours again.

Form: 19-2492

Monkshood⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| D

25/1

Smart hurdler who has found the transition to chases difficult (not helped by training problems); latest two efforts at Gowran Park and here were useful and if able to progress again holds a fair chance of success.

Form: U/0P-744

From Eden^b,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 127| D

16/1

Off the mark for connections at the sixth time of asking over the larger obstacles landing a 2m5f beginners contest at Fairyhouse in November; should his well being being with a good effort at that track in January and looks a leading contender.

Form: 237102

Chavi Artist²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 125| D

10/1

Won at the seventh time of asking over fences when landing a Punchestown 2m4f handicap last month on soft ground off a 9lb lower mark; struggled off that revised mark on latest appearance and could be similar story again.

Form: 06B517

Cooldine Bog³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 125| D

25/1

Returned after a long break to put in a useful effort at Thurles on his latest start doing his best work in the closing stages; will be fitter here and can continue his progress over fences.

Form: 3-1F204

Mount Hanover⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 125| D

20/1

Posted a career best effort when finishing second of nine beaten 2¾L in a Wexford handicap chase over a similar trip last month on heavy ground; capable of mounting serious challenge.

Form: 30-5424

Castle Oliver²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Mark Walsh| T: P Roche| OR: 120

8/1

Took a while to get the hang of things over fences but proved himself to be a progressive sort by winning his last two races at Down Royal and Fairyhouse; another bold bid expected and will relish heavy ground.

Form: 0-09011

Great Khan^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 120

33/1

13-race chase maiden but running well in defeat in a number of starts over the larger obstacles since October; needs to improve his jumping but when everything clicks he will be winning races.

Form: 22P223

Bitsandpieces⁵⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Simon Torrens⁽⁷⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 116

25/1

Still a maiden over fences but has put in some useful efforts to date; this looks a tough ask on his chase handicap debut but it will be interesting to see the level of market support.

Form: 3233-35

Theatre World⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: L P Dempsey| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 115| BF

20/1

Useful winning hurdler who has taken well to fences; jumped well and only tired close home on latest appearance at Fairyhouse in January and expected to go well on handicap debut and will appreciate a test of stamina.

Form: 121423

Countess Cathleen^h⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hickey| OR: 114

13/2

Well supported to win on only second chase appearance at Fairyhouse last time out (ahead of Theatre World); looks likely to appreciate this step back up in trip and worth consideration off this light weight in expected challenging conditions.

Form: F/659-61

Forecasts

An Fraoch Mor (11/2), Countess Cathleen (13/2), Mormon (13/2), Best Behavior (7/1), Castle Oliver (8/1), Valdieu (8/1), Star Max (9/1), Chavi Artist (10/1), From Eden (16/1), Ministerforsport (20/1), Theatre World (20/1), Mount Hanover (20/1), Cooldine Bog (25/1), Monkshood (25/1), Bitsandpieces (25/1), Great Khan (33/1)

CASTLE OLIVER was a little bit of a reluctant chaser in the early days but has gone from strength to strength now he has the hang of things and looks to have a decent opportunity of winning again. The six-year-old is in line to secure a hat-trick and will not be inconvenienced by any more of the expected rainfall. Mormon needs to improve his jumping but has been showing fair form of late and if he can iron out some mistakes then he could run a big race. Countess Cathleen won last time out and scrapes into the handicap as a consequence. She will surely enjoy this step up in trip and is one to consider in a competitive race where many have chances.