Topaz Novice Chase 2012

2.25 Leopardstown

Topaz Novice Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €48,750

Advice: 1 pt win Back In Focus (11/8 Bet Victor)

Aupcharlie: Really promising third in the Cheltenham Bumper of three years ago and while he wasn’t all that over hurdles, opened new route over fences with fantastic round of jumping to take beginners chase at Gorwan Park in superb style; Should go well here upped in trip and looked a natural over  his fences first time out.

Back In Focus: Only the five runs under rules but showed huge engine and major potential when beating Court In Motion by 6 lengths with ease in 3m Haydock Grade 2 (heavy); Presumably not back right when he was absent for 15 months after running on fast ground in 3m Grade 1, but showed what he’s all about again when winning on chasing debut by 33 lengths; Made to work much harder for his win in Punchestown Grade 2 over Lyreen Legend but step up in trip should help (looked much the better as he went on) so the one to beat here for all this ground will be quicker and more demanded of him; Should go close.

Benefficent: Former point winner  who sprung 50/1 shock in Deloitte Novice Hurdle last year (exposed since) and best effort since when second in Newbury Grade 2 (unlucky to get one on the line by smart runner up, to whom he was giving 3lbs) but hardly ideal preparation to have been running over 2m on Wednesday; Much more needed.

Cootamundra: Already showing great deal of potential over fences, going well in a close fourth when falling in Grade 3 on debut and then performing with credit when second to Oscars Well at Navan; All this looked even better when you consider that he peaked over 3m as hurdler and can outrun his price.

Dedigout: Best of these over hurdles last season, coming third in Grade 2 and then winning Grade 1 at backend of season at Punchestown Festival; Impressive destruction of susbeqent winner at Punchestown on chasing debut augured well but smashed out of sight by Arvika Legionnaire  n Drinmore; Gave exceptional winner far too much of a lead that day and stepped upto 3m, real contender here.

Mount Benbulben: Major potential as novice hurdler last season when impressive Grade 2 winner (then beaten by Boston Bob, who has won all but one start since), and forgiven no show at Cheltenham Festival (too keen); Didn’t have the pace for 2m on chasing debut and then fell but impressive win last time out a reminder of his talents and considered.

Pride Of The Artic: Rapidly progressive through the summer months, completing chasing four timer with victory in Tipperary Grade 3 but that came all the way back in October and thrashed by Dedigout when fourth in the Drinmore.

Texas Jack: One impressive win over fences but didn’t go on when having looked very good as novice hurdler and easily beaten into third in Drinmore.

Tofino Bay: Smart hurdler when he put his mind to it (comprehensive win at Punchestown Festival his best success) and already bettered that over fences when taking Troytown Handicap Chase on just his third start over big obstacles in desperately heavy ground; Had to show plenty of heart to do win there but

Tusa Eire: Little chance on all known form.

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 in the same race which was won by Dedigout; Impressive return and chasing debut at Naas (beat Mount Benbulben) and while he’s been poor twice since, choice of McCoy over the Westerner Boy and worse horses you could take a flyer on.

Lyreen Legend: Revelation over hurdles last season (won Grade 2 event in clear cut style, second in very strong event in same Grade/trip) and then third in Grade 1 behind Dedigout; Looked just as good over fences when making classy debut but well beaten by Back In Focus and this extra trip only to that one’s favour.

The Westerner Boy: Went to the front and just didn’t stop jumping when thrashing Grade 1 winner Marasonnien and Navan; However that one’s form is dubious and others preferred here.

VERDICT: A strong renewal with plenty having chances, although the class acts look to be BACK IN FOCUS and Dedigout. Willie Mullins’s charge looked to be in trouble two out at Punchestown when Lyreen Legend moved up but fought back courageously and will be more suited by the step up in trip than any of the field here and can pass his toughest test.