Growise Champion Novice Chase 2012

6.40 Punchestown

Growise Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner €49,600

Advice: 2 pts Trifolium(4.20), Sizing Europe (5.30) , Sir Des Champs (6.40) treble (2/1 Paddy Power)

Frisco Depot: Useful hurdler (Grade 1 placed) and now beginning to reach similar heights in short spell over fences, coming second to Flemenstar at Naas before running out an impressive enough winner of the Hugh Mahon Memorial Novice Chase (well ahead of next time winner and reopposing Ordinary Man); That form looking quite decent now but worry that he wants better ground than this to show.

Mossey Joe: Marked himself down as an extremely talented horse with 9 length Grade 3 romp over hurdles in December 2010 and going the same way over fences when last seen in summer months; Tends to race extremely keenly though and slight feeling that had compromised his chances severely when blowing his chance in handicap chase off rating off 151; Worry that this is a step up in class and not been seen since then, both of which are major questions here given how testing conditions are.  

Ordinary Man: Took advantage of reasonable opportunity at Tramore last time but beaten 5 lengths by Frisco Depot (previously travelled well) in Grade 2 at Limerick and hard to see him reversing the form.

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; That nothing compared to his form over fences, with a record that now stands at 4-4 following his impressive win in the Jewson Novice Chase at Cheltenham; Now favourite for next year’s Gold Cup following that and hard to argue with those odds given impression he leaves at end of his races and banker here.

Shop DJ: Very useful mare on her day and second to Knockfierna hardly looks bad on balance now although it still leaves her with lot to find and disappointing latest when only fourth at Fairyhouse and only 2 wins out of 6 under rules on ground worse than good.

VERDICT: SIR DES CHAMPS is unbackable at just 1/4 but seems a mile clear of the others on his best form, handles heavy ground, and promises to improve for the step up to three miles. The betting for second is likely to rest between Frisco Depot and Mossey Joe, but the former seems better on good ground and the latter hasn’t been seen since June of 2011.