Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 20.01s

Energumene²²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 176| CD

1/9

Top-class chaser who won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and bagged another Grade 1 at Punchestown in April. Can't be opposed on his return to action.

Form: 11/1211-

Master McShee²³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: I J Power| T: P Corkery| OR: 157| C

9/1

Very smart chaser. Tongue strap on for 1st time, 18 lengths second of 4 to Galopin Des Champs in Gold Cup Novices' Chase (7/1) at Fairyhouse (20f, soft). Off 7 months.

Form: P/31222-

Born By The Sea¹³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J G Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 136| D

80/1

Useful chaser. Creditable fifth of 20 in handicap chase (11/2) at Galway (22.5f, good to soft) 135 days ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 500-235

Epson Du Houx^h,t³⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| CD

14/1

Smart chaser. Career best when winning 8-runner handicap chase over C&D in November 2021 but he hasn't been seen since so peak fitness has to be taken on trust.

Form: 10F36/1-

Non-Runners

Fastorslow²²⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: M Brassil J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Energumene (1/9), Master McShee (9/1), Epson Du Houx (14/1), Fastorslow (25/1), Born By The Sea (80/1)

It's impossible to oppose ENERGUMENE who can take this race for the second year in succession. It'll likely be a more interesting contest for the forecast spot, with Fastorslow, a chase winner in France who did very well over hurdles for this yard in the spring, preferred to Epson du Houx and Master McShee.