William Hill Ireland Rated Novice Chase

Off time: 12:00 | Winning time: 4m 35.60s

Captain Conby³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: E Sheehy| C

6/1

Useful hurdler. Bit below form 18¼ lengths third of 6 to Knappers Hill in Rising Stars Novices' Chase (5/1) at Wincanton (20.2f, soft) 31 days ago.

Form: 60-0123

Arctic Bresil^t²²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

5/2

Thrice-raced winner over hurdles. 13/2 and tongue strap on for 1st time, fourth of 9 in novice hurdle at this course (16f, good to soft). Makes chase debut.

Form: U2/1P4-

Firm Footings³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

10/3

Useful hurdler. Latest win at Sligo in October. Respectable fifth of 19 in handicap hurdle (5/1) at Naas (19.9f, soft) 30 days ago. Makes chase debut.

Form: 3167-15

Hgranca De Thaix⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: B Connell

13/2

Useful hurdler. Third of 13 in novice chase (9/2) at Fairyhouse (16.5f, soft) on debut over fences 66 days ago. Open to improvement.

Form: 243/13-3

Spillane's Tower²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: J J Mangan

9/4

Useful hurdler. Very good fourth of 12 in novice chase at Navan (17f, heavy, 25/1) 24 days ago. Open to progress.

Form: 21U2-44

Non-Runners

Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa³²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: J C McConnell J: B W Harvey

Pinkerton¹⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: N Meade J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Spillane's Tower (9/4), Arctic Bresil (5/2), Pinkerton (11/4), Firm Footings (10/3), Captain Conby (6/1), Hgranca De Thaix (13/2), Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa (20/1)

HGRANCA DE THAIX made a positive start over fences when third at Fairyhouse in October following a nine-month absence and, likely to improve with that run under his belt, he shades preference ahead of Pinkerton. The latter was placed in two quality maiden chases at the aforementioned course last month and looks a big threat, while Spillane's Tower has also show promise in this sphere and should have a part to play, too.