Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 4m 37.4s

Ciel De Neige^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| CD

4/11

Promising type. C&D winner. 4 wins from 8 runs this season. Won 9-runner novice chase (5/4) at Punchestown (15.8f, heavy) 34 days ago, easily. The one to beat.

Form: 012111

Antey^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Slevin| T: P Griffin| OR: 128

100/1

Tailed-off last of 4 to Farouk D'alene in Ten Up Novices' Chase at Navan (24f, heavy, 80/1) 25 days ago. Back down in trip and faces another tough task here.

Form: 14P3F4

French Dynamite^p,t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 142| C| D

9/4

Smart hurdler. Tailed-off sixth of 8 to Galopin Des Champs in Scalp Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (21.3f, soft, 33/1) 41 days ago. Sights now lowered and he's the main danger to Ciel De Neige.

Form: 124-516

The Little Yank²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Donagh Meyler| T: J P Ryan| C| D

25/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 9/1, 19½ lengths fifth of 6 to The Goffer in Michael Purcell Memorial Novices' Hurdle here (20.7f, soft) 23 days ago. Makes chase debut. Yard also runs Presenting Bonnie.

Form: 733315

Presenting Bonnie⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 116| D

100/1

Fair chaser. 4 wins from 11 runs this season. Latest win at Kilbeggan in September. Tailed-off last of 4 to Delvino in Gr 3 chase (50/1) at Naas (20.4f, heavy) 6 days ago. Looks up against it.

Form: 115644

Forecasts

Ciel De Neige (4/11), French Dynamite (9/4), The Little Yank (25/1), Presenting Bonnie (100/1), Antey (100/1)

Though CIEL DE NEIGE won't have things entirely his own way here with French Dynamite in opposition, Willie Mullins' charge is nevertheless hard to oppse. The 7-y-o maintained his 100% record in this sphere with another professional performance at Punchestown last month and it's likely that we've yet to see the best of him. The Little Yank can pick up minor place money granted a clear round.