Gerard O'Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase

Off time: 16:04 | Winning time: 6m 15.7s

Baptism Of Fire^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 128

10/3

Fairly useful chaser. Career best when winning 10-runner novice chase (6/1) at Kilbeggan (22f, good) 23 days ago. Likely to improve further, so worth a chance to double his tally.

Form: 000/501-

Egality Mans¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

2/1

Useful chaser. Latest win in chase at Wexford in March. Respectable fourth of 13 in handicap chase at Punchestown (21.2f, good to soft, 6/1) 18 days ago. Merits respect.

Form: F/F4134-

Max Flamingo²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Francis Casey| OR: 144

1/1

Smart chaser. Latest win in chase at Thurles in March. Good seventh of 27 in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (29.2f, good to soft, 10/1) 27 days ago. Down in trip. Excellent claims.

Form: 24U717-

Magnium¹⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J C Canavan⁽⁷⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan| C

100/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Fairly useful winner at 17f over hurdles. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, pulled up in novice chase at Naas (19f, soft, 150/1) 150 days ago. Difficult ask.

Form: 444/30P-

Old Town Garde²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott

22/1

Thrice-raced winner under NH rules. 22¾ lengths fifth of 14 to Grand Paradis in novice chase (14/1) at Cork (20f, heavy) on debut over fences 28 days ago. Should improve.

Form: 161/5-

Non-Runners

Grand Paradis²⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Max Flamingo (1/1), Egality Mans (2/1), Grand Paradis (9/4), Baptism Of Fire (10/3), Old Town Garde (22/1), Magnium (100/1)

BAPTISM OF FIRE was off the mark at the second attempt over fences when landing a novice at Kilbeggan 23 days ago and he's open to improvement, so he's preferred to Max Flamingo and Grand Paradis who have, admittedly, achieved more in form terms to this point. Egality Mans is also a player.