2:10 Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f

Blackbow: Zero from four over hurdles but looked a real promising type when jumping well to beat the useful Entoucas comfortably on his chase debut at Navan. Hasn’t worked out since – he fell early in Grade 1 here at Christmas and was then well held by Energumene at Naas (though he was subject of a running enquiry). Plenty to prove in this deep contest.

Captain Guinness: Classy novice hurdler came back from very disappointing chase debut (pulled up at Tipperary) to win comfortably at Punchestown after a break. However, he was no match for Energumene at Naas, despite jumping very well himself and putting up a good performance to have Blackbow so far behind him in third. There is every chance that he progresses again and the drying ground could aid him in his bid to get closer to the favourite.

Darver Star: Held a hurdles mark of 104 this time two years ago but remarkably progressed through the ranks last season, finishing second in the Irish Champion Hurdle at this meeting and then third in the Cheltenham equivalent. Seems to have transferred that sort of form to chasing, not least when turning the tables on Felix Desjy here at Christmas. He chased a hard pace up front that day and got picked off by the more patiently ridden Franco De Port late, so that effort could be marked up.

Embittered: Useful hurdler last term (finished third to Saint Roi in County Hurdle off a mark off 146) but yet to reach the same level over fences. Good performances when second to Easywork and Andy Dufresne in his first two beginners’ chases were promising but he was well held when a 21-length fourth to Franco De Port here last time.

Energumene: A 19-length winner on his only start over hurdles when a novice last season, this lightly raced seven-year-old has developed into a very classy novice chaser. He put up a serious time when much too good for his rivals over two and a half miles on his chase debut at Gowran Park, before inserting substance to his form book with a comprehensive win over the talented Captain Guinness at Naas, jumping well back at two miles. This is tougher but that Naas form is good – stablemate Blackbow was seemingly well held in third – and he has a good chance of following the likes of Douvan, Footpad and Un De Sceaux, his trainer’s recent winners of this race.

Felix Desjy: Grade 1-winning novice hurdler missed his first season as a novice chaser due to injury but is making up for lost time now, most notably when winning Grade 2 at Punchestown on his penultimate start. His form to beat Sizing Pottsie there reads well, plus it looked a more mature performance given he settled better and took a lead before finishing out his race well. He resumed tearaway tactics here at Christmas and ran a strange race, giving up the lead early, before staying on again. Gordon Elliott reported that he and a few of his other runners scoped badly afterwards, so it’s not a huge call to give him a second chance.

Franco De Port: Failed to catch fire last season but options were limited given he lost his novice hurdler status after the beginning of December – he looks to be delivering now. Took advantage of strong pace here to win the Racing Post Novice Chase but still looked very smart in doing so, picking off Darver Star easily in the straight on what was just his second chase start. A likely fast pace up front should bring him into it again and possibly softer ground is also a positive.

I’m A Game Changer: Second-season novice chaser looks out of his depth here on all known recent chase form.

Unexcepted: Lightly raced seven-year-old who recorded a good time when eight lengths too good for Entoucas at Tipperary in October, but a small setback has kept him off the track until today. That’s not a huge worry, given his two wins have come off long layoffs, and he remains a bright prospect.

Verdict

Energumene looked electric at Naas last time when he impressed with his jumping and with the time he clocked. However this is a much sterner test and his stablemate Franco De Port shouldn’t be underestimated. He appeals as the biggest threat following his smooth win here at Christmas.