Lee Strand Novice Chase

5YO plus | 2m 1f | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell

Point winner who confirmed previous promise over hurdles when landing 19f maiden at Downpatrick in May. Made a successful chasing debut at Tramore later in the month, again travelling well back down in trip, and he's not taken lightly in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 7843-11

Net Boy^t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: B Connell| D

7/4

Fairly useful hurdler, winning maiden at Ballinrobe last spring. After 7 months off, unseated early on chasing debut in March, but took his form up a notch with a commanding success in maiden back at Ballinrobe in May. Open to further progress as a chaser.

Form: 43/12U-1

Shadow Paddy^t⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Gary Noonan| T: E McCarthy| D

11/8

Reached a near-useful level over hurdles in 2025, winning 4 times including listed novice at Limerick. Pulled up in Grade 1 at Aintree after 6 months off, but got back on the up when scoring emphatically on chasing debut in maiden at Limerick (2½m) in May. Major player.

Form: 0411P-1

Cappa Hill^t⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: Sean Allen| D

18/1

Made the frame both completed starts in points and fairly useful form when winning his first 2 starts in handicap hurdles last season. Hasn't kicked on since, though, failing to come on for recent run when down the field at this course in May. Makes chase debut.

Form: 31188-7

Fast Felix^t⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: E McCarthy| C

25/1

Found some progress over hurdles last season as he recorded back-to-back wins. including maiden at this course in August. Returned from 5 months off with a good second in handicap here in May, before having excuses last time ahead of now going chasing.

Form: 15P9-47

Piccolo Player³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 104

16/1

Fair form over hurdles, winning on his second start last season before placing twice in handicaps, runner-up at Kilbeggan in April. However, he failed to meet expectations sent chasing when sixth of 14 in handicap at Roscommon last month.

Form: 5642-56

Wing Back^h¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Phillip Enright| T: S Curling

100/1

Landed a gamble in 18f maiden hurdle at Downpatrick last summer. However, he ended the campaign on a low-key note, before facing a stiff task on seasonal/chasing debut when well held in maiden at Wexford (19f) 2 weeks ago. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 913F0-9

Forecasts

Shadow Paddy (7/4), Net Boy (2/1), Endless Talking (3/1), Fast Felix (12/1), Cappa Hill (12/1), Piccolo Player (25/1), Wing Back (100/1)

Preference is for SHADOW PADDY, who bettered his hurdles form at the first attempt over fences when scoring at Limerick in May, the second and third both winning next time out. Net Boy also won his maiden in good style at Ballinrobe and is feared most, ahead of the hat-trick seeking Endless Talking.