It is a worry that Henry De Bromhead said the sound surface sparked improvement in Coming Up Easy last time out but he won on heavy over hurdles so he could go well again. Golden Joy did it nicely at Leopardstown and has a chance but JAY PEE M appeals most stepping up in grade. He'll relish the ground, 2m1f is fine and a 7lb rise for his Navan win may not halt his progression. My Gaffer may improve back on softer ground. [Dave Stephens]
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French hurdles winner off the mark at the second attempt in chases in a 2m1f Leopardstown beginners' on yielding last month, his main rival falling at the last; of obvious interest on handicap chase debut.
2-10 over fences, the last win coming last June in a Roscommon novice on good; won a handicap chase on yielding at Ballinrobe last May off 118; tough task on latest at Cheltenham; remains 15lb above last win so may need some respite from the handicapper.
2-12 in chases; last won at Fairyhouse just over a year ago off 122; has generally struggled off his revised mark since and handicapper has been slow to relent; well beaten off lower hurdles rating latest; needs more.
1-15 in chases; ran well at Gowran in November (2m, good) but badly out of sorts in three runs since, though faced a tough task at Cheltenham latest; would prefer better ground than this; eighth at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Hurdles winner took a big step forward when hacking up in his first novice handicap chase at Limerick (2m2f, good to yielding); up 9lb for that; trainer said afterwards he improved for the sounder surface so softer conditions are a worry, though his hurdles win came on heavy; considered.
Gained third win over fences here in January off 118 over 2m4f (yielding to soft); no impact upped in trip and class the last twice at Punchestown (3m3f) and Naas (3m1f); big drop in trip here may not be ideal.
Off the mark at the second attempt over fences in a Clonmel beginners' in February (20.5f, soft); struggled in a Limerick novice handicap (2m2f, good to yielding) on latest behind Coming Up Easy; down 1lb and may do better returned to this easier ground; not discounted.
Maiden hurdler has proved to be a much better chaser; 2-3 in this sphere, winning a beginners' here over 2m4f and a handicap chase at Navan over 2m1f, both on soft ground; up 7lb for that latest win and moves up in grade but there could yet be more to come.
Tramore novice chase (15.5f, heavy) in January 2024 remains his only win in this sphere; out of form in three runs since return from a six month break; well-beaten off lower hurdles mark latest; hard to fancy on recent efforts, though he'll like the ground.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
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