Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 11.5s

Firefox²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| D

15/2

Very smart novice hurdler last term, placed in Grade 1s at the big spring festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. Jumped well when making a winning return/chase debut in November and good efforts in defeat next 2 starts, latterly beaten 5 lengths by Ile Atlantique at Naas. Place claims.

Form: 322-132

Here Comes Georgie^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: P Neville| OR: 128| D

150/1

Winner of 3 of his 9 starts over hurdles and made it 2-3 in this sphere when taking a 4-runner Ascot handicap (16.8f, good to soft). Likely to win more races over fences but almost certainly biting off more than he can chew in this company.

Form: P11711

Ile Atlantique^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| C

5/2

Came up short at the highest level in novice hurdles last spring but looks destined for better in this sphere judged on his performances at Navan and Naas. Proved 5 lengths too strong for Firefox in a Grade 2 at the latter course and looks the main danger to stablemate Majborough.

Form: 2357-11

Jeannot Lapin³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ricky Doyle| T: G O'Loughlin| CD

33/1

Winless following 3 attempts in maiden points but created an excellent impression when belying odds of 150/1 on Rules debut in a C&D maiden chase during the Christmas period. Whether he's good enough to mix it at this level remains to be seen but he's an imposing sort who is not short of potential.

Form: 33P-1

Touch Me Not⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

12/1

Off the mark over hurdles in a Tramore maiden on final run of last term and built on chase debut promise when seeing off stablemate Farren Glory and 6 others in a Punchestown Grade 2 in November. Jumped well when a fine second in the Henry VIII at Sandown since and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 441-212

Majborough⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| D

8/11

Third on debut for Willie Mullins in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle on this card last year. Progressed when landing the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next time and looked a natural over fences when winning a well-contested maiden chase on return at Fairyhouse in December. Exciting prospect.

Form: 1/31-1

Forecasts

Majborough (8/11), Ile Atlantique (5/2), Firefox (15/2), Touch Me Not (12/1), Jeannot Lapin (33/1), Here Comes Georgie (150/1)

Willie Mullins has saddled seven of the last 10 winners of this race and in MAJBOROUGH and Ile Atlantique the yard is represented by two very promising novices this time round. The latter is not passed over at all lightly but the sky could be the limit for last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Majborough, who looked mighty good on his chase debut and just fourth career start overall at Fairyhouse. Gordon Elliott is also doubly represented, with Touch Me Not the pick of the yard's duo.