1.55 Bar One Racing Drinmore Nov Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 165y

Adamantly Chosen: A 137-rated hurdler last term and now two from two over fences, winning comfortably at Listowel and then overcoming an early blunder to beat Visionarian in the Grade 3 Buck House. Probably won’t get away with a similar mistake here but clearly talented, and should run well.

Authorized Art: Ran second on chase debut in Kilbeggan in June but won next three starts emphatically, making all from the front and jumping well in the process. This is a step up again but he’ll like the ground and could be dangerous if given enough room in front.

Banbridge: Progressed nicely over hurdles to take the Martin Pipe at the Festival last season, finishing off on a mark of 143, but already looks like he’s going to be a better chaser. Smart jumping performance at Gowran when much too good from the front for Indigo Breeze and then showed his jumping prowess to a greater extent when moving down to two miles to claim the Grade 2 Arkle trial at Cheltenham. That sets the standard of the chase form on offer here. Ground will suit him but he may not get his own way in front.

El Barra: Third in the Galway Plate before falling early in the Kerry National. Beat Idas Boy back in novice company then at Cork but faces a classier calibre of horse now. That said, he can’t be dismissed with a mark of 154 and all his experience.

Enniskerry: A 133-rated hurdler but already looks a better chaser having beaten Midnight Run comfortably over two miles two furlongs at Galway and then again in a two-mile Grade 3 contest at Roscommon, conceding weight on that occasion. Midnight Run has franked the form since. Step up in trip could bring about further improvement.

Gaillard Du Mesnil: Third on all five starts last season which means he retains his novice status. Improved significantly when upped in trip with his season culminating with good third in the Irish Grand National. A mark of 156 is very respectable but it could happen too quick for him here on his seasonal debut.

Mighty Potter: Dual Grade 1 scorer last season and possibly unlucky not to have won three, when meeting traffic behind Statuaire in the Royal Bond on this card. Always shaped like he’d make a better chaser but difficult to get very excited about his debut over the larger obstacles at Down Royal, for all that circumstances made it hard for him to show his best. That won’t be the case racing off a likely strong pace here and every chance he prospers with that.

Shadow Rider: May have had a few problems (this will be just his third start in 672 days) but has done well on occasion, having won his beginners chase in good style at Gowran last March. Pulled up behind El Barra on his latest start obvious isn’t ideal and it’s likely he needs softer ground to be at his best.

Thedevilscoachman: Bumped into a few smart types before going back over hurdles last season to claim the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle in impressive fashion. Second stint over fences started with a win at Galway but it was hard-fought to land odds-on quotes and the jury is out on whether he can transfer his smart hurdles form to this sphere. Probably would prefer softer ground also.

Three Stripe Life: Acquitted himself very well in Grade 1 company last season, notably chasing home Sir Gerhard at Leopardstown, before getting even closer to him at Cheltenham. Scooped his own Grade 1 at Aintree then and looks on track to be at least as good over fences, having jumped well in the main for chase debut at Naas. This trip suits him well and it should be close between him and Mighty Potter again.

Visionarian: Strictly on ratings he has every chance of at least reversing form with Adamantly Chosen, having conceded that runner 7lb when they met at Punchestown. That remains his only defeat over fences in three starts but both his wins came in July, so will need to improve to have a say.

Conclusion

With more than one pace angle, they should go very quick here, and that might count against Banbridge who has prospered from the front for both of his two starts. Gordon Elliott has won this three times in the last five years and he has a great chance to make it four in six with the combined force of Three Stripe Life and Mighty Potter. Marginal preference is for the former who was ultra-consistent last season.