Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 4m 20.30s

Facile Vega³⁹

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

4/1

Very smart hurdler. Easy winner on chasing debut at Navan in November. 1/2, only 6¼ lengths last of 4 to Found A Fifty in Racing Post Novices' Chase at this C&D (good to soft) 39 days ago. Remains with plenty of potential as a chaser.

Form: 1521-14

Found A Fifty³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| CD

10/1

Very smart chaser. 2 wins from 3 runs this season. Didn't need to improve to win 4-runner Racing Post Novices' Chase (16/5) at this C&D (good to soft) 39 days ago by 1½ lengths from My Mate Mozzie. Seems the likeliest to capitalise if Marine Nationale fluffs his lines.

Form: 284-121

Il Etait Temps^h,t1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C

6/1

Smart chaser. Creditable 5½ lengths second of 5 to Gaelic Warrior in Faugheen Novices' Chase (3/1) at Limerick (19.4f, heavy) 37 days ago. Still has more to offer in this sphere, so not completely dismissed.

Form: 2152-12

Marine Nationale^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: B Connell| CD

4/7

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who was 2-2 in bumpers and successful all 3 starts over hurdles last season, culminating in a ready success in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (16.4f, soft, 9/2) in March. Hugely impressive start to chasing career over C&D and expected to follow up.

Form: 11111-1

Senecia¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: V Halley| BF| D

200/1

Useful chaser. 9/4, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Thurles (15.6f, heavy) 13 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 12F23P

Sharjah^t³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| C

33/1

Very smart hurdler. Very smart winner at 16f over hurdles. 8/1, 3½ lengths third of 4 to Found A Fifty in Racing Post Novices' Chase at this C&D (good to soft) 39 days ago. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 4-21143

Forecasts

Marine Nationale (4/7), Facile Vega (4/1), Il Etait Temps (6/1), Found A Fifty (10/1), Sharjah (33/1), Senecia (200/1)

MARINE NATIONALE continues to look a class act and he's fully expected to maintain his unbeaten record for all that Found A Fifty has looked a natural since sent chasing and boasts a good level of form. Facile Vega obviously can't be ruled out despite a disappointing showing last time.