BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase (Listed)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 25.0s

Elimay^p1,t1⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154| BF| CD

2/13

Smart chaser. Evens, respectable ½-length second of 5 to Mount Ida in Grade 3 mares' event at Fairyhouse 42 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time, cheekpieces on 1st time. Should score easily.

Form: 2121-32

Court Maid¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: T Mullins| OR: 149| C| D

9/2

Smart chaser. 80/1, respectable 25½ lengths fifth of 9 to Royal Kahala in John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran 16 days ago. Claims if back to his best returned to chasing.

Form: 139P-45

Caddy Shack¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr J P Berry| T: J A Berry| OR: 90

150/1

Modest hurdler. One win from 25 NH runs. Tailed-off last of 5 to Fury Road in Celebration Hurdle at Punchestown (21.6f, heavy, 300/1). Off 15 months. Makes chase debut. Down in trip.

Form: 42U05-6

La Chanteuse³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| D

40/1

Reluctant individual. Fair winner at 16f in bumpers. Sixth of 11 in novice chase (33/1) at Fairyhouse (21f, soft) 3 days ago. Down in trip.

Form: 1PP-0U6

That's Lifebuoy⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: J P Ryan| OR: 107

33/1

Fair hurdler. One win from 27 NH runs. Below form seventh of 15 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (17.7f, soft, 100/1) 6 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Stiff task in a race like this.

Form: 642447

Forecasts

Elimay (2/13), Court Maid (9/2), That's Lifebuoy (33/1), La Chanteuse (40/1), Caddy Shack (150/1)

Another crack at the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham beckons for ELIMAY next month, but she should make light work of these inferior rivals before that, Court Maid the only feasible danger to the selection if she's able to find the pick of last season's efforts.