Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 7m 15.6s

Cala Di Volpe²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J S McGarvey| T: R K Watson

100/1

Maiden. 16/1, third of 13 in novice chase at Clonmel (20f, heavy) on debut over fences 24 days ago. Up in trip. Stiff task.

Form: 745P-43

Chatham Street Lad¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M Winters| OR: 151

1/1

Won the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (2m4f) at Cheltenham in December and ran well in the Marsh there last week, his jumping letting him down late on. Sets a mighty standard if staying this trip.

Form: 151134

Chesterville⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Gary Noonan| T: P Neville| OR: 95

200/1

Modest maiden. 13/2 and blinkered for 1st time, sixth of 9 in handicap chase at this course (22.6f, heavy) 89 days ago, going off too hard. Impossible to fancy on form.

Form: 40-6856

Defi Bleu^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 136| D

7/2

Improved when winning 4-runner novice chase at Wexford (25f, heavy, 4/1) 18 days ago, always holding on. More needed again up in class.

Form: P-3F471

Full Time Score¹⁶

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

13/8

Switched straight to fences after a successful debut over hurdles and looked a good chasing prospect as he easily won 3-runner Gowran event (20f, heavy) 16 days ago. Up in trip. More to come.

Form: 23/11

Forecasts

Chatham Street Lad (1/1), Full Time Score (13/8), Defi Bleu (7/2), Cala Di Volpe (100/1), Chesterville (200/1)

A quick turnaround for CHATHAM STREET LAD, who was beaten 8 lengths in last week's Marsh at Cheltenham when let down by his jumping late on. This trip is an unknown but he should be far too good for his four rivals if staying and doesn't find this coming too soon. The unexposed Full Time Score is very much the potential fly in the ointment.