Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: -

Dallas Des Pictons^b1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 135| D

13/2

Won on chasing debut at Gowran Park in October. Well held since. Still holds entries for five contests at the Cheltenham festival as well at the Grand National at Aintree in April. Market likely to be the best guide.

Form: 20-153U

Dolciano Dici⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: R K Watson| OR: 135

33/1

Failed to hit the target in 10 starts for trainer Willie Mullins. Well held and never a factor in a couple of starts this term and connections look to be aiming a little high in this contest.

Form: 564-544

Gallant John Joe^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B Browne| T: O McKiernan| C| D

11/10

No match for Melon in a Leopardstown beginners contest in December before finishing third of six in a Grade 1 at the same venue behind Notebook at the start of last month. Non have the class of those two opponents in this contest.

Form: 17-9523

Halsafari¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brian Hayes| T: M J Bowe| OR: 123| D

16/1

2m4f Limerick winner in December placed twice since and only just touched off over C&D before a disappointing effort over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 51F325

Ministerforsport¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: Noel O'Neill| OR: 132| D

6/1

Mixed bag of efforts over the last 12 months over the larger obstacles with promising efforts appearing to have leveled out of late. Looks a little out of his depth here.

Form: 5-30P75

Royal Rendezvous^h³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

9/4

Not disgraced in a couple of efforts in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown since December. Nothing of the ability of those contests in this line-up but looks to have Gallant John Jo as a big threat in this.

Form: 11-P135

Forecasts

Gallant John Joe (11/10), Royal Rendezvous (9/4), Ministerforsport (6/1), Dallas Des Pictons (13/2), Halsafari (16/1), Dolciano Dici (33/1)

It's difficult to see past the chances of GALLANT JOHN JO for trainer Oliver McKiernan. The seven-year-old brings solid form into the race in Cheltenham week with a fine run behind Notebook in a Leopardstown Grade 1 contest early last month and can hold off the attentions of the likes of the Willie Mullins-trained Royal Rendezvous who has not been disgraced in a couple of efforts in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown since December and Dallas Des Picton for trainer Gordon Elliott who still holds entries for five contests at the Cheltenham festival as well at the Grand National at Aintree in April.