Greenmount Park Novice Chase 2011

2.10 Limerick

Greenmount Park Novice Chase (grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €24,375

Advice: 2.5 pts win Sir Des Champs (8/15 Bet365)

Four Commanders: Made several bold jumps on second chasing start when winning well at Down Royal, no surprise as he was always made for fences; Ran another solid race at Punchestown in Grade 2 behind well liked Last Instalment but always easily held there.

Quietly Fancied: Second in Grade 2 over hurdles but not repeated that form over fences so far, coming a well beaten second behind stablemate of likely favourite; Fencing needs to improve.

Sir Des Champs: French import who was unbeaten over hurdles, having won well at Navan before impressive win at the Cheltenham Festival, having looked beaten before running on late to grab the prize at the line; Found a giveaway race on his chasing debut but that doesn’t make his win any less impressive and the one to beat by quite a mile here.

 

Knockfierna: Has gotten better with every chasing start and deserved Grade 3 success at Cork even if mistake of rival at last gave her a big hand; This step up in trip should suit although faces two very useful horses in Sir Des Champs and Four Commanders.

VERDICT: SIR DES CHAMPS was impeccable on his chasing debut and while he faces better opposition here, a small field should allow him to impose his class on the race and he can beat Four Commanders here to make it 2-2 over fences