Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 20.4s

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Selected odds by:

Death Duty⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

8/13

Top class novice hurdler last season who is 2-2 over fences so far, including an easy victory at Punchestown in a Grade 3 last time. The one to beat stepping up to a Grade 1 chase for the first time.

Form: 11U3-11

Rathvinden⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

3/1

A winner of four of his seven chases so far, including a Grade 3 last time. That looked a weak contest, though, and this requires a big step up.

Form: 211311

Snow Falcon²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| C| D

8/1

Not disgraced on chase debut at Naas last time and should be capable of better, but that piece of form leaves him a long way off the best of these.

Form: 32538-2

Townshend¹²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| BF

14/1

Found out when stepped up to Grade 3 company at beaten by Rathvinden last time out; difficult to see him reversing that form here.

Form: 21F-114

Shattered Love^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| C

16/1

Has come into her own over fences so far, and was only narrowly beaten in a Grade 2 last time. Could improve again over the larger obstacles here, but this is still a big ask.

Form: 107-112

Dinaria Des Obeaux^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| C

16/1

Easy winner of a Listed contest last time out and is 2-2 over fences so far. A long way off Death Duty's form over hurdles, though, so still has plenty to find with him.

Form: 1045-11

Forecasts

Death Duty (8/13), Rathvinden (3/1), Snow Falcon (8/1), Townshend (14/1), Dinaria Des Obeaux (16/1), Shattered Love (16/1)

All things being equal, this should see DEATH DUTY make it three from three over fences and record a first top-level win over the larger obstacles. A Grade 1 winning novice hurdler who was always going to make a better chaser, he has looked very impressive so far this season, particularly last time out, and it would be no surprise for this to be the first in a string of top prizes for him this year. Another Gigginstown-owner unbeaten chaser, Dinaria Des Obeaux, may give him most to think about, ahead of Grade 3 winning Rathvinden.