2.30 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m1f

Appreciate It: Spearheads a formidable challenge for Willie Mullins and was the highest-rated of these over hurdles with a mark of 160. Bids for his third win at this meeting having won a Grade 2 bumper and Grade 1 novice hurdle here in 2020 and 2021. Imposing type is the oldest runner in the line-up as a nine-year-old but has made a bright start to life over fences in notching wins at Punchestown and Naas. Could prove the one to beat as Paul Townend keeps the faith.

Banbridge: Last season’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival looked a natural over fences when winning a beginners’ chase at Gowran in October and Grade 2 novices’ chase at Cheltenham in November. At his best when racing on decent ground so wouldn’t have been helped by rain-softened conditions when a safely-held third to Mighty Potter and Gaillard Du Mesnil in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase last time. Freshened up since then and should be in the thick of things.

Dysart Dynamo: Enthusiastic sort put on a show when galloping much inferior rivals into submission in a beginners’ chase here at Christmas. In considerably deeper waters now and more will be learned about him here. Not short of ability and is already proven around this track but can’t afford to exert himself too much early on from the front in a race of this calibre.

El Fabiolo: Always held in high regard by connections and managed to get within a neck of Jonbon in Grade 1 company at Aintree last spring. Didn’t deliver a foot-perfect performance on his chasing debut but still managed to record a comprehensive 19-length win at odds of 1/5 and shaped as though he could be more comfortable when not having to make his own running. Likely to be on the premises if streetwise enough over fences at this early stage of his career.

Flame Bearer: Useful novice hurdler last season for Pat Doyle and received favourable mentions ahead of the current campaign from his new trainer Willie Mullins. Disappointing when turned over as 8/15 favourite on his stable/chasing debut at Naas but managed to get back on track when readily outclassing his rivals by 38 lengths in a Fairyhouse beginners’ chase three weeks ago, surviving a scare at the final fence. Needs to prove he’s up to winning at the highest level and jockey bookings suggest he’s down the pecking order in the stable’s runners.

Saint Roi: Benefitted from a beautiful ride from Mark Walsh to record a first Grade 1 win here over Christmas, coming home strongly from off the pace to fend off Saturday’s rivals Visionarian and Fil Dor. This looks a far deeper race than last time so will need to raise his game. However, the anticipated strong pace here should be right up his street.

Visionarian: Runner-up to Saint Roi in Grade 1 company on his last start at this venue in December, and likely at his best when encountering decent ground over this trip. Rating of 149 leaves him with a bit to find in a race of this calibre but not a shock if he earns a share of the minor prize money.

Fil Dor: Finished second to Vauban in a trio of Grade 1 juvenile hurdles last season and made a smooth transition to fences when beating Saint Roi in a Navan beginners’ chase in November. However, the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old was unable to confirm that form when trying top-level company last time as he finished third to Saint Roi and Visionarian here over Christmas (sent off 8/11 favourite). Likely better than the bare form of that effort as was forced to make up ground quickly after a bad mistake at the third last. Now 4lb worse off with the same rivals.

Conclusion

Paul Townend faced a difficult decision at Thursday’s declaration stage as Willie Mullins opted to declare all five of his possible runners for the race he has won five times in the last eight years. Banbridge poses a serious threat for Joseph O’Brien but Appreciate It can prove the champion jockey’s judgement right and continue his unbeaten start to life over fences. Provided his jumping stands up to the test, El Fabiolo can fare best of the rest of Closutton’s challengers.