Tote Fortria Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 4m 13.30s

A Plus Tard²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 167| BF

1/2

Top-class chaser. Creditable 1¾ lengths third of 8 to Min in Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) (7/4) at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft). Off 8 months. Stable having good spell. The one to beat on return.

Form: 21/3213-

Castlegrace Paddy^t²³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: P A Fahy| OR: 152| CD

9/1

Very smart chaser. Five wins from 16 NH runs. 10/3, back to best when won 4-runner Webster Cup Chase at this C&D (heavy) by 2¾ lengths from Ornua, driven clear. Off 7 months.

Form: F6/3451-

Kildorrery²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D F O'Regan| T: T M Walsh| OR: 130| D

80/1

Useful chaser. Pulled up in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (20.2f, soft, 25/1) 25 days ago, typically pulling hard. Switches from hurdles to chase. Back down in trip. Plenty to find on form.

Form: 33F47-P

Ornua²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Phillip Enright| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143| D

11/1

Useful chaser. Twelve runs since last win in 2019. Creditable third of 8 in handicap chase (8/1) at Cork (17.7f, good) 21 days ago. Has made the running and that could help stablemate A Plus Tard.

Form: 833323

Eclair De Beaufeu²⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| D

10/3

Smart chaser. Latest win in chase at Leopardstown in February. 13/2, improved when second of 18 in Grand Annual handicap chase at Cheltenham (16.3f, good to soft), clear of rest. Off 8 months.

Form: 214312-

Yaha Fizz⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: R P Treacy| T: E D Delany| CD

50/1

Fairly useful chaser. 150/1, 23¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Battleoverdoyen in Gr 2 chase at Down Royal (19.6f, heavy) 8 days ago. Plenty to find.

Form: 50715-4

Forecasts

A Plus Tard (1/2), Eclair De Beaufeu (10/3), Castlegrace Paddy (9/1), Ornua (11/1), Yaha Fizz (50/1), Kildorrery (80/1)

This looks a fine opportunity for high-class chaser A PLUS TARD to quickly open his account for the season having finished third in the Ryanair when last seen. Gordon Elliott's Eclair de Beaufeu created a big impression himself when runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival so gets the nod for the forecast spot on his return, ahead of Castlegrace Paddy.