Kilmanahan Beginners Chase

5YO plus | 2m 76y | Heavy | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: John Shinnick⁽⁷⁾| T: L J Archdeacon| OR: 95

Fair winner at 19f over hurdles. Not yet scaled same heights over fences but yet to be asked for everything when third of 8 in handicap chase at Limerick (17.5f, heavy, 8/1) 25 days ago, badly hampered 2 out. Still, more needed if he's to open his account here.

Form: 061673

Jasmin De Cotte^h1⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Deegan| T: P Nolan

Runner-up sole start in points. Fair form over hurdles, eighth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (22.8f, heavy) 46 days ago. Makes chase debut. Back down in trip. Hooded for 1st time.

Form: 2-6538

Tempo Chapter Two^b³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Sexton| T: P W Flynn| OR: 115| D

Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Eleventh of 16 in handicap hurdle at Naas (15.6f, heavy, 80/1) 39 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase and definite possibilities on pick of form in this sphere.

Form: 425U90

Warm In Gorey¹³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R P Treacy| T: P J Rothwell

Fair hurdler, latest win at Punchestown in June. Similar form when third on chase debut at Thurles (18.3f) in November but found little back over hurdles when fifteenth of 17 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) later that month. Given a break ahead of return to chasing.

Form: 129030

Wee Charlie²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: O R Brown⁽⁵⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 104

Fair hurdler and similar form over fences, in process of running well when falling last in handicap at Limerick (17.5f, heavy) 25 days ago. Not dismissed lightly.

Form: 64526F

Bents Hollow¹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽³⁾| T: Eamon Courtney| D

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles who was in the frame all 4 starts for Donald McCain last season. However, offered little returning from 9 months off/on yard debut at Limerick in November. Chase debut.

Form: 11232-0

Flidais⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Ryan

22/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Limerick (16f, heavy) 65 days ago, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out. Switch to chasing needs to have positive effect on back of 65 days off.

Form: 76624P

Knocknagappagh^p⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 94

Modest hurdler. Remains a maiden after 23 NH runs. Pulled up in handicap chase (16/1) at Ayr (20.5f, heavy) 51 days ago, beaten when pulled up before twelfth. Back down in trip.

Form: 20722P

Pebble Bleu¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: C Motherway

Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules who improved on exploits in bumpers/over hurdles when second of 7 in novice chase at Thurles (17.9f, heavy) on debut over fences 19 days ago. Easily one of the least exposed here and big player with a repeat.

Form: 050082

Forecasts

Pebble Bleu (9/4), Tempo Chapter Two (7/2), Jasmin De Cotte (9/2), Wee Charlie (13/2), Knocknagappagh (10/1), Bents Hollow (10/1), Warm In Gorey (12/1), Flidais (14/1), Another Ocana (20/1)

PEBBLE BLEU improved on the form she displayed in bumpers/over hurdles when runner-up on chase debut at Thurles 3 weeks ago and a repeat should see her play a lead role here. Tempo Chapter Two rates a big threat on the pick of his form in this sphere, whilst Jasmin de Cotte and Warm in Gorey are others worthy of a second look.