Leopardstown - Racing Post Novice Chase

2.20 Leopardstown

Racing Post Novice Chase (grade 1) (4YO plus)

Winner €55,250

Advice: 3.5 pts win Bog Warrior (8/11 Paddy Power)

Baily Green: Nine length winner of maiden hurdle in March, then readily held next time in much better company; Yet to win a chase in three starts over fences and also has 15 lengths to make up on Bog Warrior, so passed over.

Blackstairmountain: Showed eminent promise over hurdles as a novice, winning Grade 1 novice hurdle with plenty in hand; Never got back to that level last year but showed enough to still be ranked as a useful horse, and took to fences extremely well first time out when never off the bridle; Should go well here.

Bog Warrior: Held in nothing but the highest regard by his trainer and big pointer to future prospects when Flemenstar (whom he beat by 7 lengths with ease) bolted up at Navan on the bridle next time (that his chasing debut); Hugely impressive in Drinmore Chase romp last time out, and no limit on his potential based on that performance; Should take the beating.

Foildubh: Continued progressive form since last season (won at Cork and Tramore) with three solid efforts over fences; Long way behind Lucky William when they last met and nothing should change between these two.

Gift Of Dgab: Gone backwards since Febuary maiden hurdle win (held in better company) and most of his form since over further, which leaves the impression that he’s going to be outpaced over this trip like he was at Plumpton last time out.

Lucky William: Decent hurdler in novice days and gets a second crack at chasing having probably suffered dent in confidence when falling (set to win on chasing debut); Has since come back in style though, left clear at the last on return before then winning decent Grade 3; Put in his place by Days Hotel at Punchestown and probably best to look elsewhere.

Notus De La Tour: Useful hurdler (rated 141 at his peak and second at the Cheltenham Festival) who made an excellent start to fences, winning easily at Plumpton and Carlisle; Beaten at evens on last run at Exeter but trying to give 8lbs to useful chasing recuits Walkon and Zaynar, the latter of whom bolted up in a Grade 2 event at Ascot; Not without a chance seeing as he handles cut in the ground although he would need to improve to make his mark here.

Ordinary Man:  Rated just 116 and shouldn’t be upto this on a line through First Lieutenant.

Perfect Smile: Ran respectably in two major novice events last year, and respectable efforts in tougher company; Won like he was entitled to on chasing debut and others preffered to him.

VERDICT: BOG WARRIOR’S win over 2 miles, although not comparable to his Drinmore Chase romp, would give him a serious chance in this company and he looks a horse of the highest potential. Best of the rest would have to be Blackstairmountain, who looked back to his best when scoring with any amount in hand at Clonmel.