Barberstown Castle Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 4m 6.00s

Champ Kiely¹⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| C| D

16/5

Very smart chaser who took his record to 3-6 in this sphere when lowering the colours of stablemate Ballyburn in Champion Novices' Chase at Punchestown (25f, good) in April. Remains lightly raced for his age and he needs considering on return.

Form: 3/14131-

Ile Atlantique^t¹⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| CD

9/4

Quickly reached a smart level in this sphere, building on his maiden victory when bagging C&D Grade 2 in January. Failed to complete on 2 of his 3 starts thereafter last season, latterly at 3m, and connections opt for a marked step back in trip on this return from 6 months off. Not out of things.

Form: 7/115UF-

Only By Night¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 148| CD

4/1

Made an excellent start to her chase career last winter, landing a Cork Grade 2 and Exeter listed race. Improved again when second in the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and whilst not in quite the same form despite filling same spot at Punchestown final start, she commands respect on her return.

Form: 3/11122-

Gaelic Arc²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Daniel King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 122| D

400/1

Unreliable individual. 16/1, eighth of 9 in handicap chase at Limerick (19.2f, heavy) 21 days ago, beaten some way out. Very hard to make a case for in this company.

Form: 20P048

Inthepocket³⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 149| BF| C| D

7/4

Multiple winning hurdler (including at Grade 1 level) who made a winning reappearance/chase debut at Wexford (2m) this time last year. Better than he could show when third behind re-opposing Ile Atlantique in C&D Grade 2 when last seen in January and he remains with untapped potential as a chaser.

Form: 2412/13-

Forecasts

Inthepocket (7/4), Ile Atlantique (9/4), Champ Kiely (16/5), Only By Night (4/1), Gaelic Arc (400/1)

There's no doubting INTHEPOCKET is better than he ultimately showed when third behind re-opposing Ile Atlantique in a C&D Grade 2 when last seen 10 months ago and with potential for better still as a chaser, Henry de Bromhead's low-mileage 8-y-o is fancied to make a bold bid on return (goes well fresh). Champ Kiely signed off last term with Grade 1 success at Punchestown and is feared, along with last season's Arkle second Only By Night.