Kevin Blake

2:05 BAR ONE RACING DRINMORE NOVICE CHASE

(GRADE 1) 2M 4F

Aerlite Supreme: Rated 135 over hurdles, he made it second-time lucky over fences when winning at Thurles, but will need to improve to feature at this much higher level.

Alelchi Inois: Won his first five starts over fences during the summer period prior to being undone by a very bad blunder in a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown earlier this month. This is his toughest task to date.

Apache Stronghold: Not far off the best novice hurdlers in the country last season, he has always been considered a chaser in the making and he made a solid winning chasing debut at Down Royal in October. He seems sure to improve from that and is a leading contender.

Band Of Blood: Formerly trained by Philip Fenton, he was a useful performer over hurdles and made a winning chasing debut at Cork in October. This represents a big step up in class on his first start for his new trainer and others are preferred.

Blacklough: A progressive handicap hurdler that made quite an impressive winning chasing debut at Listowel in September prior to being an early casualty in Grade 3 novice chase company last time. Needs to improve to feature at this level.

Cause Of Causes: One of the unluckier horses of last season, getting touched off in both the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown and the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, but as a result he retains his novice status for this season and has to be considered a player in these novice contests with his rating of 145.

Followmeuptocarlow: An 11-year-old that needs to be delivered late in his races, he looks unlikely to feature at this level.

Perfect Gentleman: A smart hurdler, he has made a bright belated start to his chasing career, winning in good style at Tipperary and Cork. This represents a step up in class but he shouldn’t be ruled out.

Real Steel: A Grade 2-winning novice hurdler for Philip Fenton last season, he made a bright start to his chasing career on his first start for his new trainer when beating Le Vent D’Antan at Naas. He seems sure to improve from that and is one to consider.

Sadler’s Risk: A smart handicap hurdler that made an impressive winning chasing debut at Roscommon in May, he found Perfect Gentleman too good for him at Cork last time and needs to improve to feature at this higher level.

The Tullow Tank: One of last season’s leading novice hurdlers prior to having the plug pulled on his season due to the Philip Fenton controversy, he made an impressive winning chasing debut for his new trainer at Fairyhouse earlier this month. He is very much open to improvement and looks to be the one to beat.

Allied Victory: Rated just 120 over hurdles, he made a winning chasing debut at Thurles in October, but was put in his place in Grade 3 novice chase company at Cork last time. Unlikely to feature.

Valseur Lido: A Grade 2-winning novice hurdler last season, he made an excellent start to his chasing career when bolting up at Punchestown earlier this month. He is open to improvement and has to be considered a leading contender.

Verdict

This really is an electric contest and while The Tullow Tank is greatly respected, the Noel Meade-trained Apache Stronghold may be a better value alternative.