Jasmin De Grugy has been sent off favourite on his last six outings, winning five of them, so if the money comes for him again it could be ominous. Amirite bounced back to form in the Topham and the fifth has boosted the form here this week, but stablemate MAJESTIC FORCE is of serious interest on her handicap bow. The lightly raced mare did enough to win at Wexford last time and the form of her Cork second to Spindleberry reads well. Canal End and Beachcomber also make the shortlist. [Adrian Wall]
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Impressed when winning veterans' handicap at Newbury (3m2f, soft) in March off 152 under talented 10lb claimer; hit his usual flat spot when sixth in 3m1f premier handicap at Aintree four weeks ago; handles decent ground but shoving on in years; stable always respected here.
Quirky but very talented; peak RPR of 147 over hurdles when beating Spillane's Tower in a novice; beaten in eight of his ten chases but probably career-best form in winning 2m5f Listed handicap at Leopardstown in March; looked a non-stayer over this trip in Limerick Grade 3 on latest; finished midfield in a handicap hurdle here on Thursday.
Won Gowran beginners' chase (2m4f, soft to heavy) in February 2023; won his first handicap chase at Galway (22.5f, soft) in October off 137; no impact off 10lb higher in hot 3m2f Newbury handicap; well beaten in the Thyestes; needs softer conditions.
Career highlight when narrow winner of this race last year off 142 on soft; back down to that mark now but out of form since returning in October from a break, including when pulled up on cross-country debut at Cheltenham last time; big leap of faith required.
Largely not at his best this season but bounced back to form with excellent fourth of 30 in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) last month; James Du Berlais (fifth) gave the form a timely boost when winning Grade 3 handicap here on Wednesday; handles a sound surface and should run a big race.
Bumper and four-time hurdle winner; has three chase wins to his name but the veteran last won at Down Royal in September 2023; would have a squeak with a reproduction of Midlands National third at Kilbeggan off 140 last July when 0.5l behind Amirite but has been off the track 252 days.
Two hurdle wins last season (including on good ground) and first-time blinkers (retained) provoked a chunk of improvement in handicap at Kempton (3m, good to soft) in December when winning by 10l; failed to back that up in the Ladbrokes Trophy off 10lb higher but has workable Irish mark; likes to race prominently.
Impressive winner of Listed handicap chase at Naas last February (2m4f, soft to heavy) before losing his way for some time; bounced back to form when winning off 124 at Fairyhouse (24.5f, soft to heavy) 12 days ago, headed after a bad mistake at the last but battled well to get back up; ground a concern.
Has shown a liking for a thorough test of stamina in his last few outings with a second in the National Trial at this course (3m3f, soft) in February and a third to Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Chase; never got going behind the same runner in the Irish National 12 days ago but can't be discounted.
12yo easily won veterans' handicap chase at Limerick (22.5f, yielding to soft) in December off 125; was beaten around 7l off 131 at the same venue over 2m7f in March; nearly took advantage of much lower hurdles mark there last time; may want softer ground than this.
2m4f maiden hurdle winner in April 2023; built on eyecatching Naas second (2m4f, soft) in January when justifying favouritism at Navan (23.5f, soft) off 120 in March, coming from rear to win in the manner of a well handicapped horse; leading player if he handles quicker ground.
Has gone 0-11 since winning the Topham Chase at Aintree (2m5f, soft) in April 2023 but there were signs of getting himself back on track over hurdles before departing early back chasing at Haydock in January; jumped poorly at Wincanton when last seen; bit to prove at present.
Point/maiden hurdle winner; fifth to Golden Ace in Mares' Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham last season; beaten 0.5l by Spindleberry on chase debut at Cork, who has since gone on to win Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last month; landed the odds in Wexford beginners (25.5f, good to yielding) in March; fair opening mark.
Won handicap chase at Down Royal (3m, good to yielding) in January off 121; pulled up in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham next time; rare hurdles run at Fairyhouse on latest when pulled up again; probably best watched.
Justified favouritism five times on the bounce between May of last year and January, going from a mark of 81 over hurdles up to a peak chase rating of 127 after victory at Newbury (23.5f, soft); didn't jump with the same fluency when a distant third of five there on latest but has to be respected.
Still a maiden but produced a career-best when beaten a short head in Listed Mares' chase on handicap debut at Fairyhouse (2m5f, soft) 11 days ago, with the pair pulling well clear of the remainder; 4lb rise is fair and she could go well again.
Point/bumper winner who won 22.5f maiden hurdle at this course too last season; woefully out of form since, the best effort a sixth of nine in Wexford beginners' in March; unseated rider at the sixth fence on handicap debut; cheekpieces; 13lb wrong.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
