14:20 Punchestown

Sunday 16 January 2022

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:50

Kildare Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 5m 17.00s

Bob Olinger⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

1/2

Ballymore winner, one of last season's outstanding novice hurdlers, who made a winning start over fences in red-hot 18-runner contest at Gowran (20f, good to soft) 57 days ago. Hard to beat.

Form: 1/2111-1

Capodanno^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| C

7/2

Most progressive over hurdles back in the spring and continued in a similar vein on chasing debut after 8 months off, landing 15-runner novice at Naas (19f, soft) 31 days ago. Lots more to come.

Form: 31341-1

Forged In Fire^t¹⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

80/1

Career best when winning 6-runner novice chase at Tipperary (19f, good to soft, 11/2) on debut over fences 6 months ago for Joseph O'Brien. Second has done well since, but he'll need tons more here.

Form: P39-761

Gaillard Du Mesnil³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF| CD

11/2

Smart novice hurdler, second to Bob Olinger in the Ballymore before winning Punchestown Grade 1. 4/11, 2 lengths third of 15 to Capodanno in novice chase at Naas (19f) on return 31 days ago. Improver.

Form: 21121-3

Gallant John Joe^p,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B Browne| T: O McKiernan| OR: 149| C| D

66/1

Off 22 months, tongue strap on for 1st time, 25 lengths fourth of 6 to Ferny Hollow in Racing Post Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (17f, soft, 66/1) 21 days ago. Hard to fancy.

Form: 95233/4

Lieutenant Command²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

66/1

Useful chaser (won at Fairyhouse in November). Well-beaten fifth of 6 to Master Mcshee in Faugheen Novices' Chase (16/1) at Limerick (19.7f, heavy) 21 days ago, possibly amiss. Bit to prove.

Form: 4099-15

Lifetime Ambition¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: Mrs J Harrington| C| D

25/1

Impressive when scoring first time up over fences at Down Royal in October. 9/2, held when second of 3 at Naas (16f) 14 days ago. Yard struggling for winners and there will be other days for him.

Form: 211-142

West Cork Wildway⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: P O'Flynn| D

66/1

9/1, career best when winning 8-runner novice chase at Thurles (22f, good) 59 days ago, always holding on. Could have more to offer but this is a huge ask.

Form: 444-6F1

Forecasts

Bob Olinger (1/2), Capodanno (7/2), Gaillard Du Mesnil (11/2), Lifetime Ambition (25/1), West Cork Wildway (66/1), Gallant John Joe (66/1), Lieutenant Command (66/1), Forged In Fire (80/1)

A novice chase with a rich roll of honour in recent years and BOB OLINGER looks set to continue his rise with another victory. The sky is the limit over fences for the Ballymore winner and it will be disappointing were he to be beaten. Capodanno survived an almighty blunder when winning at Naas and could be the real deal, while there might be plenty more to come from Gaillard du Mesnil also.