13:20 Leopardstown

Sunday 6 February 2022

All12:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 28.1s

Beacon Edge^p1⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 152| D

12/1

Very smart hurdler. 7/2, career best when winning 8-runner Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (19.8f, good) 70 days ago by 1¼ lengths from Gabynako. Not discounted.

Form: 314F-21

Capodanno^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins

13/2

Promising type. Very good 4¾ lengths second of 8 to Bob Olinger in Killiney Novices' Chase (7/2) at Punchestown (20.2f, heavy) 21 days ago, no match for winner. Another bold show likely.

Form: 1341-12

Fighter Allen^t⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins

66/1

Useful chaser. Tongue strap on for 1st time, second of 13 in novice chase (11/2) at Fairyhouse (21f, soft) on debut over fences 57 days ago. More required upped markedly in grade.

Form: P3307-2

French Dynamite^p,t⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| C

33/1

Smart hurdler who got off the mark at the second time of asking over fences with an authoritative performance at Punchestown 85 days ago. Needs to improve if he's to feature in this, though.

Form: 5124-51

Fury Road^p,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| C

9/1

7/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, career best when winning 8-runner Neville Hotels (Fort Leney) Novices' Chase at this course 39 days ago. Should give his all, but drop in trip not sure to suit.

Form: 2PP-231

Gaillard Du Mesnil²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| C

33/1

Smart hurdler. 11/2, bit below form 31¾ lengths third of 8 to Bob Olinger in Killiney Novices' Chase at Punchestown (20.2f, heavy) 21 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 1121-33

Galopin Des Champs⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

4/9

Smart hurdler who looked really special when easily scoring on his chasing debut here in December, winging almost every fence before easing clear. Will be very hard to beat here.

Form: 2P611-1

Master McShee⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: I J Power| T: P Corkery| OR: 152| C

12/1

Smart chaser. Built on promising chasing debut when winning 6-runner Faugheen Novices' Chase at Limerick 42 days ago by short head from Farouk D'Alene. Worth his place at this level.

Form: 175P-31

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (4/9), Capodanno (13/2), Fury Road (9/1), Master McShee (12/1), Beacon Edge (12/1), Gaillard Du Mesnil (33/1), French Dynamite (33/1), Fighter Allen (66/1)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS looked a class act when sauntering to success on his chasing debut and another display of slick, flawless jumping should see him defend his unbeaten record before a tilt at one of the Grade 1 novices at Cheltenham. His stablemate Capondanno could give him most to think about, while Master McShee could get involved if the emphasis is on stamina.