Patrick Ward & Co Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 18.20s

Blue Lord^t³⁴

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

5/2

Very useful novice hurdler last season and has made the perfect start over fences so far, making it 2-2 at Naas last month. With further improvement on the cards, he looks the pick of Willie's trio.

Form: 23F3-11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Embittered^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 141| D

80/1

Smart hurdler who has had plenty of experience over fences. Tailed-off last to Riviere D'etel Klairon Davis Novices' Chase at Navan (17f) a couple of months ago so likely to come up short once again.

Form: 012136

Busselton⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 137

40/1

Decent strike rate over fences (3-7) but this represents a significant step up up in grade so probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 213112

Haut En Couleurs⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| CD

10/3

Twice placed in Grade 1 company as a juvenile hurdler and made the perfect start to his chasing career after 8 months off here over Christmas. Exciting prospect and sure to have more to offer.

Form: 133-1

Saint Sam²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| D

4/1

Useful hurdler (last year's Fred Winter runner-up) who proved himself a much better chaser already when making a successful start in this sphere at Fairyhouse last month. Sure to progress further.

Form: 24225-1

Riviere D'etel^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| D

2/1

Highly promising mare who easily made it 3-3 over fences in Grade 3 at Navan 2 months ago. Bumped into Ferny Hollow in Grade 1 here next time and holds serious claims receiving weight all round.

Form: 37-1112

Forecasts

Riviere D'etel (2/1), Blue Lord (5/2), Haut En Couleurs (10/3), Saint Sam (4/1), Busselton (40/1), Embittered (80/1)

This race has eluded Gordon Elliott so far but RIVIERE D'ETEL gets the vote to put that stat right and give his mare a first success at the highest level having bumped into the top-notch Ferny Hollow on St. Stephen's Day. She receives weight all round and looks the way to go. Willie Mullins' trio are all unbeaten over fences and his Blue Lord is preferred to Saint Sam for the forecast spot.