Castlerea Novice Chase

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 4m 0.9s

Antey²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: A W Short| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136| D

13/8

Useful chaser. 2/5, didn't need to be at best when winning 10-runner maiden chase at Limerick (19.6f, good to soft) 21 days ago, easily. Stable in good form. Should continue to give a good account.

Form: 6U228-1

Bold Enough²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| D

11/8

Highly promising individual who made a successful debut over hurdles without any fuss at Wexford (2m) 23 days ago. Has plenty of scope to improve.

Form: 45623-1

Gold Des Bois^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Dempsey| T: Mrs D Foster| D

16/1

Strong in betting and got back on track sent chasing when winning 14-runner maiden chase at Ballinrobe (17f, soft) 35 days ago. Likely to improve.

Form: 30530-1

Star Max^p,t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Shane Fitzgerald⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 128| D

10/3

Fairly useful chaser. Latest win in chase at Fairyhouse in April. Creditable second of 6 in novice chase (7/1) at Wexford (20f, good to soft) 6 days ago. Yard in good form. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 07321-2

Avec Espoir²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J P O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 90

200/1

Modest chaser. Remains a maiden after 16 NH runs and offered little after 7 months off in handicap chase at Limerick (22.7f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Down in trip.

Form: 602F8-6

Black Pearl Johnny^h1¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: C A Landers⁽³⁾| T: Aengus King

200/1

Well held in bumpers and pulled up on Naas hurdling debut. Easy to oppose wearing first-time hood for chasing debut.

Form: 50P-

Mahler Of Autumn²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: E McCarthy

200/1

Is yet to show any ability.

Form: P610-06

Forecasts

Bold Enough (11/8), Antey (13/8), Star Max (10/3), Gold Des Bois (16/1), Avec Espoir (200/1), Mahler Of Autumn (200/1), Black Pearl Johnny (200/1)

BOLD ENOUGH made a successful debut over fences without any fuss at Wexford 3 weeks ago and looks the type to go on to much better things, so he's fancied to follow up. Antey boasts some tidy form so rates the main threat.