Concept Colours Rated Novice Chase

5YO plus | 2m | Soft | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 135| CD

Useful chaser. Latest win in maiden here (16.6f) in October. However, not built on that in trio of starts since, pulled up in handicap chase at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft) 15 days ago, tailed off when pulled up 4 out. Needs to keep the errors at bay.

Form: 081F6P

Release The Beast^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jordan Gainford| T: P Nolan| OR: 129| D

Fairly useful winner at 2m over hurdles and confirmed promise of his chase debut effort when winning 7-runner novice chase at Limerick (17.7f, soft) 52 days ago. Open to improvement and he's one to consider.

Form: 184-31

Springt De La Mare^t1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| D

Bumper winner who showed plenty of ability over hurdles and made a smooth transition to this sphere when winning 11-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (16.3f) 31 days ago, jumping well in the main. Looks sure to progress.

Form: 13F-531

Built By Ballymore^t⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M Brassil| C

Useful winner at 21f over hurdles. 16/1, seventh of 8 in novice chase at Tipperary (16.4f, soft) on debut over fences 86 days ago. This should reveal more but possible he'll be brought along gradually in this sphere.

Form: 8110P-7

Rath Gaul Boy²⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| D

Useful winner at 2m over hurdles. Bit below form ninth of 24 in handicap hurdle at this course (16.7f, good to soft, 17/2). Off 9 months. Makes chase debut. Trainer going well.

Form: 6/2P119-

Waterford Whispers⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| D

Useful hurdler who matched that form on first start over fences when second in 18-runner maiden at Navan (20.7f) in December. Not seen to best effect when last of 7 in Grade 1 at Limerick over Christmas and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 122P-27

Western Diego²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| D

Lightly-raced winning hurdler who shaped encouragingly when fourth on chase debut at Leopardstown (17f) over Christmas. Never figured when midfield in 14-runner maiden at Gowran 24 days ago and whilst he remains open to improvement, handicaps could be more his bag. Usual hood left off.

Form: 8/513-46

Forecasts

Release The Beast (11/4), Springt De La Mare (10/3), Waterford Whispers (7/2), Fascile Mode (9/2), Rath Gaul Boy (5/1), Western Diego (14/1), Built By Ballymore (20/1)

RELEASE THE BEAST confirmed chase debut promise when opening his account in a 7-runner maiden at Limerick (17.7f) 52 days ago and he's fancied to make another bold bid in this stronger affair, with further progress in the offing. Springt de La Mare is another open to improvement and feared on the back of his chase debut success. Waterford Whispers is another on the shortlist returned to calmer waters.