Gerard O'Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 15.80s

Sandor Clegane^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 133

9/4

Talented but ungenuine sort who took advantage of a good opportunity when opening his account over fences in a weak 6-runner maiden at Down Royal last month. This is tougher on paper, but with question marks hanging over several of his rivals he should be competitive again.

Form: 77600/1-

The Rebel County²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Ahern| OR: 104| D

16/1

Hunter chase winner 12 months ago but has not come close to reproducing that form in handicap chases and was disappointing despite support back over hurdles last time.

Form: UP5677/

Butch Cassidy^p³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brian Hayes| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| BF

6/4

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner who shaped with fair encouragement in maiden chases prior to breaking a blood vessel on handicap debut at Fairyhouse last month. Clearly has the ability to win this but needs to prove he possesses the required robustness.

Form: 53435P/

Da Capo Glory^p⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁵⁾| T: Padraig Butler| OR: 126

2/1

Very useful hurdler at his best who took a step back in the right direction when eighth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and unseated when still in contention at Punchestown last week. Has not pulled up any trees in 3 previous chase starts, but strong claims if able to step up on those efforts here.

Form: FP338U/

Justabitofyours¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 102

28/1

Fair form at best over fences but none of it solid and pulled up in handicaps on last 2 starts.

Form: 2770PP/

Non-Runners

D Art D Art²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: T Cooper J: Ricky Doyle

Forecasts

Butch Cassidy (6/4), Da Capo Glory (2/1), Sandor Clegane (9/4), D Art D Art (4/1), The Rebel County (16/1), Justabitofyours (28/1)

DA CAPO GLORY showed at the Cheltenham Festival that he retains a great deal of his useful ability reverted to hurdling and, with fewer question marks than his rivals, is taken to come out on top back over fences. Butch Cassidy boasts the best chasing form but bled last time, while the less than straightforward Sandor Clegane is another obvious danger if on a going day.