Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:35 | Winning time: 4m 5.80s

Blue Lord^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| C| D

2/1

Very smart chaser. Respectable 7¾ lengths third of 11 to Edwardstone in Arkle Chase (4/1) at Cheltenham (15.9f, good) 44 days ago, making effort earlier than ideal. Considered.

Form: F3-1113

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Coeur Sublime^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| D

20/1

Smart chaser. Latest win in chase at Gowran in January. 18/1, below-par seventh of 11 to Edwardstone in Arkle Chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, good) 44 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 47-2317

Gabynako^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 156| D

3/1

Smart chaser. 25/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, good 4¼ lengths second of 11 to Edwardstone in Arkle Chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, good) 44 days ago, suited by way race developed. Not ruled out.

Form: 5-21232

Haut En Couleurs⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

3/1

Very smart chaser. Winner at Leopardstown in December. Below form 16¼ lengths sixth of 11 to Edwardstone in Arkle Chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, good, 6/1) 44 days ago. More is required.

Form: 133-1F6

Saint Sam^h⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

4/1

Smart chaser. Winner at Fairyhouse in January. Unseated 4th in Arkle Chase (12/1) at Cheltenham (15.9f, good) 44 days ago. Remains open to progress, so not dismissed.

Form: 225-13U

Maskada⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131| D

66/1

Useful chaser. 15/2, running respectably when fell heavily 3 out in handicap chase at Newbury (16.4f, heavy) 67 days ago. Faces an uphill task here, though.

Form: 32313F

Non-Runners

Gentleman De Mee¹⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: W P Mullins J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Gentleman De Mee (6/4), Blue Lord (2/1), Gabynako (3/1), Haut En Couleurs (3/1), Saint Sam (4/1), Coeur Sublime (20/1), Maskada (66/1)

Willie Mullins has bagged the last six runnings of this Grade One novice chase and his fast improving GENTELMAN DE MEE looks very much the one to beat on the back of his emphatic success over Arkle hero Edwardstone at Aintree. Stablemate Blue Lord appeals as the one to chase him home ahead of Arkle runner-up Gabynako.