13:45 Leopardstown

Wednesday 29 December 2021

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:25

Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 19.09s

Ashdale Bob²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: Mrs J Harrington

12/1

Useful chaser. 3/1, good third of 18 in novice chase at Navan (20f, good to soft) 25 days ago, but will need to raise his game in order to trouble the principals here.

Form: F912-U3

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Bacardys^t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C| D

12/1

Smart chaser. Very good second of 18 in novice chase at Gowran (20f, good to soft, 14/1) 39 days ago. Ontheropes appears to be the stable first-string.

Form: 4P579-2

Fury Road^p1,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

7/1

Smart hurdler. Very good 1¼ lengths third of 8 to Beacon Edge in Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (19.8f, good, 17/2) 31 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Engaged 2.55 Leopardstown Tuesday.

Form: 42PP-23

Max Flamingo³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P J O'Hanlon| T: Francis Casey| BF| C

28/1

Useful chaser. Good second of 9 in novice chase (5/2) at Fairyhouse (21f, good) 32 days ago. Minor place money is surely the best he can hope for here.

Form: 114-532

Mr Incredible^p1³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| BF

10/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 31 lengths second of 4 to Ahoy Senor in Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury (23.4f, good to soft, 11/10) 32 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 221-12

Ontheropes³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

7/1

Smart chaser. 8/1, below form fourth of 21 in handicap chase at Newbury (26f, good to soft) 32 days ago. Big player back in novice company for yard that won this race 12 months ago.

Form: 43P/2-14

Run Wild Fred^b³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| D

9/4

Very smart chaser. Career best when winning 16-runner handicap chase (4/1) at Navan (24f, good) 38 days ago, travelling strongly. Leading claims back in novice company.

Form: 5222-21

Vanillier^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| D

5/2

Smart hurdler. Winner of the Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase on second start over fences at Punchestown (22.6f, good to soft, 13/8) 45 days ago. Open to progress in this sphere.

Form: 2014-31

Forecasts

Run Wild Fred (9/4), Vanillier (5/2), Fury Road (7/1), Ontheropes (7/1), Mr Incredible (10/1), Bacardys (12/1), Ashdale Bob (12/1), Max Flamingo (28/1)

It took RUN WILD FRED nine attempts to open his account over fences, but he did so in good style in the Troytown at Navan and a reproduction of that performance will make him tough to beat. Second choice is Ontheropes, who also contested a big handicap chase last time, finishing fourth in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. Vanillier landed a Punchestown Grade 2 last month and merits respect, too.