Leopardstown Christmas Festival - Bord Na Mona Chase

2.00 Leopardstown
Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €58,500

Pick: Miakel D’Haugenet

Gates Of Rome: Very good over hurdles last season, coming second to some useful types giving away weight and also winning by 19 lengths; Badly in need of the experience first time out and brushed aside when second to Realt Dubh in the Craddockstown Novice Chase, and has it harder here.

Loosen My Load: Made very smart start to life under rules last year, winning his first three races before running a good race on his first start over fences behind solid Fosters Cross and won Grade 2 over hurdles at Cheltenham a year ago but struggled in face of stiff tasks afterwards; Started flawlessly in 3 from 3 over fences though, running away with Graded event; Travelled strongly in strong Grade 2 at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting but was tapped for toe in home straight (under penalty); Was giving large amount of weight to a decent pair of horses (winner favourite for Arkle) that day and major player if handling ground.

Mikael D’Haugenet: developed really well over hurdles in 2008/9, winning all six starts after being brought over from France, including Grade 1s at Navan, Cheltenham (a very strong renewal of the Ballymore, beating Hennessy Gold Cup winner Diamond Harry and Karabak) and Punchestown, before he was injured; Looked set to win Drinmore on return from injury but for overpitching on the last fence, and the clear standout here with this trip not a problem.

Noble Prince: A strong travelling, fluent jumper who’s remarkable versatile as he showed when fourth in the World Series Hurdle before landing beginner’s chase with ease at Punchestown in October; Should be right there.

Pay The Bounty: Made a very taking debut over fences but subsequently disappointed when sent off 11/4 for a Grade 3 at Limerick and this much tougher; Failed to given 7lbs to a talented horse in Quadrillion last time but this seems to taxing.

Realt Dubh: Useful over hurdles and beginning to improve over fences, landing his debut with ease and seeming set to win Grade 3 (travelling well, disputing) when falling; Made amends with Craddockstown Chase win but outsped by Mikael D’Haugenet before the last in Drinmore and hard to see form reversal even at better trip.

Saludos: held on grimly from Asigh Pearl and stablemate Coole River to win a war of attrition at Punchestown in listed contest before close second in Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at this meeting last year (went on to come another close second in valuable event); Looked dependent on being able to dominate when in need of the experience first time over fences, and while he’s improved since to win well for a shrewd yard, he has it a lot tougher.
Torphichen: Very useful flat sort who was highly fancied for the Supreme Novice Hurdle 2 season ago (has disappointed since); Bumped into a decent horse in shape of Quel Esprit first time out over fences and was impressive in winning his novices chase last time, so not to be discounted.

VERDICT: The drop back in trip should prove no hinderance to MIKAEL D’HAUGENET, who looked set to win the Drinmore Novice Chase before falling at the last and he looks too good for the smart yardstick Loosen My Load and the promising Noble Price.