Sean P. Muldoon & Patrick F. Gormley Fortria Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 13.07s

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Selected odds by:

Captain Guinness²⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160| CD

4/1

Very smart chaser. 25½ lengths fourth of 5 to Energumene in William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown (16f, good to soft, 28/1). Off 6 months. Yard having good spell.

Form: 133164-

Andy Dufresne²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| C| D

2/1

Very smart chaser. Course winner. 16/1, fell in William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown (16f, good to soft) won by Energumene. Off 6 months. Solid claims.

Form: 13P/22F-

Castlegrace Paddy⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: P A Fahy| OR: 145| CD

28/1

Smart chaser. C&D winner. Eighth of 12 in minor event at Listowel (14f, good, 10/1) 51 days ago. Switches from Flat to chase. Back down in trip. Smart chaser, below form on last chase outing.

Form: 5/P343-0

Riviere D'etel^h²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| C| D

10/11

Smart chaser. Course winner. 20½ lengths third of 4 to Galopin Des Champs in Gold Cup Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (20f, soft, 8/1). Off 7 months. Respected.

Form: 112253-

Non-Runners

Ferny Hollow³²²

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Paul Townend

Epson Du Houx³⁶⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: H De Bromhead J: Darragh O'Keeffe

Fastorslow¹⁹⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: M Brassil J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Ferny Hollow (4/6), Riviere D'etel (10/11), Andy Dufresne (2/1), Captain Guinness (4/1), Epson Du Houx (20/1), Castlegrace Paddy (28/1), Fastorslow (33/1)

All eyes will be on the return of FERNY HOLLOW, who was a warm order for the Arkle before injury ruled him out last season. He should be able to make a winning return if all is well although the talented Andy Dufresne should ensure it's not all plain sailing for the selection. Captain Guinness isn't ruled out, either.