Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 11.80s

Benruben⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138| C| D

40/1

Useful chaser. 2 wins from 4 runs this season. 11/1, 25¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Felix Desjy in Craddockstown Novices' Chase at Punchestown (16.2f, heavy) 42 days ago. Uphill task.

Form: F/8-4114

Blackbow^h,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C| D

11/4

Useful chaser. 5/2, career best when winning 14-runner novice chase at Navan (17f, heavy) on debut over fences 34 days ago, pushed out. More to come.

Form: 2/2F42-1

Darver Star^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| BF| D

4/1

Very smart hurdler. 11/10, creditable 9¾ lengths third of 7 to Felix Desjy in Craddockstown Novices' Chase at Punchestown (16.2f, heavy) 42 days ago.

Form: 1323-13

Embittered^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: J P O'Brien

13/2

Promising sort. 3 lengths second of 3 to Andy Dufresne in Klairon Davis Novices' Chase at Navan (17f, heavy, 7/4) 21 days ago. Should have more to offer.

Form: 5363-22

Felix Desjy^h⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

15/8

Career best when winning 7-runner Craddockstown Novices' Chase (13/8) at Punchestown (16.2f, heavy) 42 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Sizing Pottsie. Leading contender.

Form: 51/2-F11

Franco De Port³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| D

8/1

Useful chaser. 8/15, career best when winning 13-runner novice chase at Thurles (18f, heavy) on debut over fences 30 days ago, driven out. Sure to progress.

Form: 1/172P-1

Forecasts

Felix Desjy (15/8), Blackbow (11/4), Darver Star (4/1), Embittered (13/2), Franco De Port (8/1), Benruben (40/1)

FELIX DESJY will need to jump better than he did in the Craddockstown Novices' Chase at Punchestown last time to maintain his unbeaten record over fences but he still rates the most persuasive option. Blackbow left his hurdles form trailing in his wake at Navan and is feared most.