BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 5m 17.6s

Blue Sari^t⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

25/1

Career best when winning 18-runner novice at Gowran (20f, heavy, 6/4) 57 days ago. That form isn't great but he's clearly a smart sort and he bypassed Cheltenham for this.

Form: PFP-241

Galopin Des Champs³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| BF| D

2/11

As exciting a chaser as there is, destroying his rivals in 2 runs at Leopardstown (beat Master McShee second time) before entering folklore with a luckless exit at Cheltenham 31 days ago, 11 lengths clear when crumpling on landing last in Golden Miller won by Bob Olinger. Compensation surely awaits.

Form: 611-11F

Master McShee^t1³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: I J Power| T: P Corkery| OR: 157| BF| D

7/1

Very smart chaser. Good ¾-length second of 6 to Sizing Pottsie in Webster Cup Chase (13/8) at Navan (16f, heavy) 36 days ago, staying on well. Back up in trip which is sure to suit. Tongue strap on 1st time. The one for the forecast.

Form: 5P-3122

Riviere D'etel^h³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| C

8/1

Smart mare who easily won first 3 starts over fences and even better form when second in pair of Leopardstown Grade 1s. Found the Arkle 33 days ago all too much (constantly adjusting right over the demanding fences and probably doing more than ideal at the head of affairs). Interesting up in trip.

Form: 111225

Non-Runners

Beacon Edge³²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: N Meade J: Sean Flanagan

French Dynamite²⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: M F Morris J: Darragh O'Keeffe

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (2/11), Master McShee (7/1), Riviere D'etel (8/1), Beacon Edge (16/1), Blue Sari (25/1), French Dynamite (25/1)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS was in the process of running an amazing race before getting his final landing all wrong at Cheltenham. He would have been rated one of Timeform's best chasers in training had he completed, indeed he's clearly the best novice even after that, and should take all the beating with a clear round. Master McShee, fitted with a tongue tie for the first time, is the forecast pick.