16:10 Leopardstown

Sunday 1 March 2020

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 33.3s

Niccolai^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 121| D

16/1

Won a soft-ground Clonmel beginners' chase in December on second attempt over fences; may be best forgiven poor attempt on handicap bow at Dublin Racing Festival here most recently but improvement demanded no less.

Form: 10-614P

Prospectus⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 120

7/1

Outran odds of 66-1 when fourth in Navan beginners' chase in November over 2m1f on soft; hasn't managed to build on that in two further starts and comes here off short break with something to find.

Form: 2/0-0409

Batcio²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: I J McCarthy| T: T M Walsh| OR: 118| D

5/4

Improved to win a beginners' chase at Clonmel in December and then runner-up over C&D at Christmas in strong handicap; was still leading when coming down at second last fence here last month; leading player on form.

Form: 53912F

Grand Partner¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 116| C

6/1

Versatile veteran has done all his winning on the Flat/over hurdles and on the strength of this seasons' chase form he'll do well to be in the mix here.

Form: 4P6574

Smithscorner^t¹⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: M Kennedy| OR: 114

9/1

Strike-rate isn't great (2-24) but was in good form last year, winning at Wexford (2m4f, good; 4-1); outfought in the finish when second at Killarney in August on most recent start. Needs to be fit enough to do himself justice.

Form: 817F42

Envol Pierji⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N P Madden| T: Miss E Doyle

9/2

Modest efforts in beginners' contest at Punchestown and Fairyhouse either side of the New Year leave him with a good deal to find on form but does remain early days.

Form: 24-1746

Kagney^h1³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 113

66/1

The promise shown on chase bow at Kilbeggan (second) back in 2018 has long since subsided and was tailed off last month at Down Royal on return from a year off for stable bow; first-time hood on here.

Form: 2F9P6-5

Monstrosity^p1,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C D Maxwell| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 109| D

10/1

Won a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle in May last year and looked useful in doing so; not devoid of promise in three starts over fences since returning from a fall at Navan in September. May improve in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 4-1F547

Forecasts

Batcio (5/4), Envol Pierji (9/2), Grand Partner (6/1), Prospectus (7/1), Smithscorner (9/1), Monstrosity (10/1), Niccolai (16/1), Kagney (66/1)

BATCIO appeared set to confirm the promise of his Christmas run when going well here at last month's Dublin Racing Festival only to come down late on. This appears less competitive on paper and, granted a safe round, Ted Walsh's charge can make amends. If Smithscorner is fully tuned up on his first run for 192 days he'll be a credible threat while Monstrosity may improve in the first-time headgear to challenge for a place.