Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 39.6s

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Selected odds by:

Bel Ami De Sivola³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

14/1

Best form has come on better ground but even that gives him a lot to find with the principals. Disappointing on latest start and faces an even stiffer task in this.

Form: 5P8-235

Brelade²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| C

7/4

Has a bit to find with Footpad on hurdling form but has the benefit of two recent runs over fences. They include a 7L defeat by Petit Mouchoir when he could not match that rival's speed. Should keep the likely favourite honest at least.

Form: 2368-22

Footpad¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins

4/6

High-class hurdler who was in the money for the Champion Hurdles at Leopardstown and Cheltenham last year. Sure to have been well prepared and would be expected to take this en-route to the Arkle.

Form: 124243-

Glacial Shadow¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: D Broad

100/1

Modest point-to-pointer and hunter chaser who is pitched in several grades higher than his apparent ability. Easy to oppose.

Form: 0FF28-9

Nomanbehind^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: Anthony Curran

100/1

Only modest form in maiden hurdles and facing some useful looking recruits in this. Probably out of his depth.

Form: P-0454

Sort It Out²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: E P Harty

20/1

Runner-up in the 2015 County Hurdle and missed the whole of last season. Entitled to have needed last month's debut over fences and better expected with the owner's retained rider opting for him.

Form: 2104/0-6

Non-Runners

Minella Till Dawn³³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Footpad (4/6), Brelade (7/4), Bel Ami De Sivola (14/1), Sort It Out (20/1), Minella Till Dawn (20/1), Nomanbehind (100/1), Glacial Shadow (100/1)

FOOTPAD was the clear pick of these over hurdles having contested championship races and the is sure to have been well schooled for this. Brelade was no match for Petit Mouchoir last time and meets that calibre of rival again. He has fitness on his side and chasing experience so will benefit from any chinks in the selection's armour. Sort It Out was a fairly useful hurdler who will improve for his return to action last months but this may me asking too much.