2.10 Patrick Ward & Co Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f 43y

Blue Lord: Smart hurdler last season; placed in three of his four Grade 1 starts (and looked booked for second in the Supreme before last flight fall). Very promising start to fences with smooth Fairyhouse win and then much too good for Lifetime Ambition in novice event at Naas. That latter form hasn’t worked out very well however, and it should be noted that four fences were taken out due to low sun. However, he remains exciting and Townend booking is a vote of confidence.

Embittered: Second-season novice chaser was able to take advantage of experience earlier in the campaign but struggled to get close to Riviere D’Etel his on last two starts and that will probably be the case again today.

Busselton: Well campaigned over fences so far to win three times and placed for other four starts. Second in novice chase last time and this looks a bridge too far on all known form.

Haut En Couleurs: Intriguingly allowed to make his debut for Willie Mullins in Triumph Hurdle and performed admirably to finish third, filling that position again in Punchestown Grade 1 juvenile event. Good start to chasing when five lengths too good for Gentleman Du Mee over this course and distance at Christmas, recording a good time in the process. Should be thereabouts given he has handled himself well in Grade 1 company so far without the benefit of experience.

Saint Sam: Smart juvenile last season, having finished second to Jeff Kidder in Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at the Festival. Looks set to be a better chaser however, after a smooth nine-length win over Thedevilscoachman and El Barra at Fairyhouse. Given the latter finished second to Blue Lord on his previous run, the form stacks up well here and this five-year-old should not be discounted.

Riviere D’Etel: Out early this term to make hay of age and sex allowances and she has done that with aplomb, recording three bloodless victories, in strong times also. Just second best in good tussle with Ferny Hollow over this course and distance in Grade 1 here at Christmas, but that looks the strongest form on offer now. She doesn’t have as much of an allowance but will still receive 9lbs from Blue Lord, and may well get her way in front now. The one to beat.

Conclusion

The Willie Mullins trio is much respected but Riviere D’Etel has the best form in the book and shouldn’t be underrated by the constant mentioning of the fact she has been in receipt of two allowances for all her runs thus far. In any case, she gets 9lbs from Blue Lord today. Saint Sam could emerge best of the Mullins trio.