Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:35 | Winning time: 6m 29.9s

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Selected odds by:

Appreciate It^t1¹⁶

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

7/2

High-class hurdler (landed 2021 Supreme) and solid start over fences when landing maiden/novice events around the turn of the year. Ran to a similar level in hitting the frame in trio of Grade 1's since, hanging left when third at Fairyhouse (Sir Gerhard second) 16 days ago. In the mix upped to 3m.

Form: 6-11343

Classic Getaway¹⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C| D

9/2

Useful hurdler who took his form to a new level when getting off the mark at the first attempt over fences at Gowran (20f) back in November, jumping on last and driven out. Bred to stay 3m and of interest with further progress likely returning from 5 months off.

Form: 121PD-1

Feronily¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D Meyler| T: E Mullins| D

7/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who got off the mark over hurdles at Limerick (19f) in March and improved further when second on chase debut at Cork (3m) 16 days ago, having no issues with the longer trip. Open to improvement but this understandably demands more.

Form: 123412

James Du Berlais¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

12/1

Smart over hurdles and ran to a similar level when off the mark in a Fairyhouse maiden chase (21f) on New Year's Day. Has seemingly had his limitations exposed at this level in trio of subsequent starts, however.

Form: 92/1664

Journey With Me⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 151| D

9/4

Bumper/dual hurdles winner and bright start over fences, making it 2 wins from last 3 starts at Naas (20f) in March. The manner of that victory suggests he's well worth his place at this higher level and he's a player with prospect of more to come.

Form: F7-F121

Sir Gerhard¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| D

7/2

Leading novice hurdler of 2021/22 campaign who got off the mark on chase debut (despite some mixed jumping) at Gowran (2m) in January. Inexperience a factor in Grade 1 at Cheltenham next time but back on track when second at Fairyhouse (19.7f) 16 days ago. In the mix back at 3m.

Form: 113-192

Forecasts

Journey With Me (9/4), Appreciate It (7/2), Sir Gerhard (7/2), Classic Getaway (9/2), Feronily (7/1), James Du Berlais (12/1)

This has a wide-open feel but JOURNEY WITH ME shaped like a horse well worth his place at Grade 1 level when successful at Naas in March and, returned to this longer trip, he could well be worth siding with to come out on top. Sir Gerhard, on the back of his second at Fairyhouse 16 days ago, and low-mileage Classic Getaway