Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Chase 2012

2.25 Navan

Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Chase

Winner: £13,650

Advice: 3 pts win Oscars Well (4/5 Sportingbet)

Dylan Ross: Very smart novice hurdler last season at a good level, coming second on four occasions between beginning of the season and Cheltenham Festival after stylish win; Back on track after dreadful round of jumping (fell) on chasing debut when stylish winner last time out (second to Jenari inbetwen) and should make a bold bid here once again.

Glenstar: Pretty badly in at the weights after two poor hurdlers runs and without a win since 2m6f success at Tramore in August; Best left.

Jenari: Had looked set to become disappointing over hurdles but put that right when relishing the step up in trip to land Grade 2 in good style, and going well when falling in Grade 1 over 2m4f at Punchestown; Decent chasing debut (form boosted by Dylan Ross) but disappointing in Grade 2 at Punchestown during which Oscars Well fell.

Kelptht: Won well on chasing debut (2m3f, good) at Wexford when drawing away to win by 5 lengths but feeling that was very much down to trip/ground so negative to see him dropped in trip against better level of opposition.  

Oscars Well: Not able to quite match his novice hurdling form in senior ranks last year, but showed enough in Grade 1’s over 2 miles to know that he is still a serious horse and much the best of these on ratings; Impeccable chasing debut over C&D last month and gets very handy weight concessions from 2 of four rivals today, so very much the one to beat despite step up in class.

Sraid Padraig: Very impressive chasing debut (went straight through bumpers/PTP’s) on season return over 2m3f at Limerick, creating an impression which makes it very easy to forget his disappointing stepped up in class at Cheltenham; Drop in trip poses questions but still of interest.

Cootamunda: Useful hurdler (won staying handicap at Punchestown in February over 3m); Running well (had just jumped into third) when falling on debut at Galway but this trip looks far short of best.

Hidden Future: Decent hurdler but nothing more despite win at Ayr in March but looks out of his depth chasing.

VERDICT: OSCARS WELL was much the best of these over hurdles and looked at least as good a chase when bolting on his debut at Punchestown, where he took a crashing fall last time. If over that, he should prove too good for Dylan Ross and Jenari here.