1.40 Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 5f 44y

Adamantly Chosen: Smart start over fences, recording wins at Listowel and in Grade 3 at Punchestown, overcoming early blunder in the latter.

Struggled behind Mighty Potter (28-length fifth) in Drinmore but got closest to Gerri Colombe in Limerick Grade 1, so that was much better, although there were four involved in close proximity at the finish. Will enjoy this slightly better ground.

Gaillard Du Mesnil: Third on all five starts last season, including behind Galopin Des Champs in this race but gradually improved, with notable big runs in the Brown Advisory and then Irish Grand National.

Second to Mighty Potter in Drinmore was a fine effort on comeback and then finally off the mark in three-mile Grade 1 here at Christmas. That form is suspect, but he only has four and a half lengths to find with Mighty Potter, and he has race fitness on side now.

I Am Maximus: Moved to Willie Mullins from Nicky Henderson’s yard (where he was a 134-rated novice hurdler last term) and has finished second on both starts in beginners chases. This is a big step up and on the evidence so far, he will struggle to make an impact.

James Du Berlais: Talented French recruit was thought good enough to run in a Champion Hurdle on his first start for Willie Mullins (well held ninth) before finishing good second to Klassical Dream in Punchestown Grade 1 three-mile hurdle.

Off the track for all of last season but highly promising on chase debut over this trip at Fairyhouse, jumping and travelling well on his way to recording a good time. More needed now but has the class to get himself involved.

Kilcruit: Largely disappointing novice hurdle campaign last term having looked very promising in bumpers, and as of yet, he has yet to spark over fences.

Won comfortably on debut before finishing third to Gerri Colombe in Grade 1 Faugheen at Limerick. Not given up on but needs to improve to have a say here.

Mighty Potter: Dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler when his only real blip came at Cheltenham.

Always shaped like he’d be a better chaser and went some way to proving that theory right with authoritative display in the Drinmore, where he had Gaillard Du Mesnil back in second, and the remainder well held.

He did put in a couple of jumping errors along the way but he has lots of scope to improve again and looks the one to beat.

Conclusion

This race has cut up since the entry stage and Mighty Potter looks a more solid option now. He had the measure of Gaillard Du Mesnil at Fairyhouse and he has the scope to improve further now on just his third start over fences. James Du Berlais is dangerous, but is a bit of an unknown with this his second start off a long lay-off.