Newlands Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 14.00s

Ash Tree Meadow^t¹⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| D

6/1

Landed the Galway Plate last summer and confirmed himself a very smart chaser when readily seeing off sole rival on return in in Grade 2 Skymas Chase at Down Royal (19.5f) in command from 3 out and cruising clear. Likely to play a part.

Form: 422-211

Rebel Gold^t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: P T Foley| OR: 143| CD

14/1

Useful chaser who landed this race 12 months ago. Respectable fifth of 11 in handicap chase (22/1) at Leopardstown (17f, soft) 22 days ago, headway before 3 out and plugging on. May come up short this time around.

Form: 151-065

Epson Du Houx^t⁹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 141| CD

28/1

C&D winner. 66/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy) 98 days ago (reportedly bled). Significantly back down in trip on return to action but others make more appeal.

Form: 2360-8P

Espanito Bello^v³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: B Connell| OR: 149| CD

5/1

Smart chaser. 1 win from 3 runs this season. 22/1 and visored for 1st time, running below form when unseated rider in Thyestes Chase at Gowran (25f, heavy) 31 days ago. Significantly down in trip.

Form: 51P-1PU

Ferny Hollow^h⁷⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| D

2/5

Champion bumper winner back in 2020 who landed only start over hurdles the following season and quickly developed in to a high-class chaser after, winning Leopardstown Grade 1 in 2021. Absent since but unlikely he'll be Lacking for fitness given powerful connections. Has to be of interest.

Form: 211111/

Ivar The Boneless^h,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: R K Watson

250/1

250/1, tailed-off last of 5 to Saint Sam in Red Mills Chase at Gowran (20f, heavy) 8 days ago. Set for another struggle in this company.

Form: 4/44075

Forecasts

Ferny Hollow (2/5), Espanito Bello (5/1), Ash Tree Meadow (6/1), Rebel Gold (14/1), Epson Du Houx (28/1), Ivar The Boneless (250/1)

FERNY HOLLOW has a lengthy absence to overcome but Willie Mullins' charge looked every inch a high-class prospect when last seen scoring in Grade 1 company over fences and, unlikely to be lacking for fitness, he can make a winning return. Ash Tree Meadow comfortably rates the chief threat.