M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 8.00s

Minella Indo²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

8/13

Excellent second of 10 to Champ in RSA Insurance Novices' Chase (3/1) at Cheltenham (24.4f, soft) when last seen in March. Remains open to improvement in this sphere and he's the one to beat.

Form: 21/1212-

Milan Native^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| D

7/5

Career best when winning 3-runner minor event chase at Galway (22.5f, soft, 11/10) 19 days ago, just holding on. Should continie to progress and he's the only conceivable threat to Minella Indo.

Form: 24221-1

Turbojet²³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: A W Short| T: D A McLoughlin

20/1

Fairly useful chaser. 5/1, career best when winning 7-runner novice chase at Leopardstown (24f, soft). Off 7 months and this is much more demanding.

Form: 60/6501-

The Kings Baby⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Slevin| T: S Slevin| D

100/1

Fairly useful chaser. 40/1, first run since leaving Harry Whittington when eleventh of 12 in handicap hurdle at Downpatrick (21.7f, good) 56 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Stiff task.

Form: PP870-0

Forecasts

Minella Indo (8/13), Milan Native (7/5), Turbojet (20/1), The Kings Baby (100/1)

The progressive MILAN NATIVE, who landed the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival in March, is taken to topple Minella Indo in this intriguing contest. The latter sets a high standard judged on his fine second in the RSA at the Festival, but conceding weight to the race-fit Milan Native on his seasonal reappearance won't be easy. Turbojet can claim minor place money.