An open race. Last year's winner A Mere Bagatelle is 9lb higher now and may struggle to defend his crown off top weight. One Night Standard, Three In A Row and Inthenickoftime could go well but a chance is taken on DUTY BOUND on his return to chasing. He may have needed his last run, he won his only previous start over fences and there could be more to come from him in this sphere. [Dave Stephens]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
2-12 in chases including a win in this race last year off 9lb lower; won a 2m2f handicap hurdle at Downpatrick in March; testing ground to blame for latest when pulled up at Fairyhouse; should go well but will need a career best off current mark.
Dual-purpose; won sole start over fences at Wexford off 7lb lower last August; mixed hurdles and the Flat since to no avail; hampered early on latest but should strip fitter for that first run back after a break; not discounted back over fences.
1-7 over fences, the win coming at Clonmel (2m7f, gd-yld) in March; hiked up 10lb for that 9l success and beaten 24l at Fairyhouse off revised mark; may be in the handicapper's grip for now.
Winning hurdler is 0-4 in chases but has run well in defeat, including when a 1.5l second of 11 at Kilbeggan (2m4f, yielding) latest; nudged up 2lb for that but should be competitive again; would appreciate a drop of rain.
Winning hurdler is 0-3 over fences; best effort in this sphere a 5.5l third of 11 in a Tramore beginners' on testing ground in January; hurdles win came on good to yielding; dropped 2lb for 12l defeat latest; each-way claims.
Sole win under Rules came in a handicap chase here over 23.5f in July 2023 off 99 under Rachael Blackmore; sparingly raced since; should come on for latest at Navan but remains 7lb above that last win and this trip may be on the sharp side.
Chase debutant has won over hurdles, a 2m3f maiden at Limerick on heavy ground; ran well sole start on good ground in a 2m1f bumper here on debut; should make a chaser on breeding but his lack of experience is a negative; headgear worn last time is removed.
Three-time winning chaser; scored at Tramore (15.5f, gd-yld) on latest last month off 98, his second win in three starts; up 6lb and yet to win beyond 18.5f so not sure this step up in trip will suit.
Two-time winning hurdler is 0-4 over fences; best effort yet in this sphere a 5.5l second of 13 at Down Royal (20.5f, gd-yld) when last seen in December; should go well again off 1lb higher if fit after absence.
Winning hurdler; 0-1 over fences but ran well to finish a 2.5l third of 8 in that sole chase start at Sligo in a novice handicap (17.5f, good); just 1lb higher here and had a sharpener over hurdles at Cork three weeks ago; stamina to prove for this trip but could go well if he stays.
Point-to-point winner is 0-4 in chases; highly tried in graded company the last twice and outclassed; hard to assess on handicap chase debut and is best watched back from three months off.
Two-time winning hurdler; 0-12 in chases and has pulled up in his last three starts, in a hunter chase at Down Royal and two point-to-points; won four point-to-points in a row between October and December but hard to fancy on recent form.
1-15 over fences, the win coming at Tramore (2m, good) in September off 93; remains 6lb above that win but did run a decent race to finish a 7l fourth of 13 at Limerick on latest last month; needs more to win off this mark.
Maiden is 0-3 in chases; well beaten in two beginners' at Galway and Kilbeggan and also on his handicap chase debut on penultimate at the latter track; drops in trip; others make more appeal.
First reserve; two-time winning hurdler is 0-4 in chases; decent effort on penultimate when an 11l second off 6 at Limerick in a novice handicap chase off 1lb higher; pulled up back over hurdles latest; best form on testing ground.
Second reserve; 1-15 over hurdles but poor efforts the last twice in that sphere and has now joined a new yard; not an obvious candidate for chasing on breeding; best watched on chase and stable debut.
Third reserve; point-to-point winner is a thirteen race maiden under Rules; 0-3 in chases; ran okay when a 9.25l fifth of 9 in a handicap hurdle at Musselburgh when last seen in November; lacks a run and others make more appeal.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
