2.25 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase 2m 1f
Facile Vega: Dual Grade 1 winner over fences made promising start to chasing when comfortable winner over Inthepocket at Navan but although plenty went wrong for him, he was ultimately disappointing here behind Found A Fifty in Grade 1 on St Stephen’s Day. Apparently has worked very well this week and return to a softer surface should suit him, but needs all of that to click to even get competitive with previous conqueror Marine Nationale.
Found A Fifty: Drinmore runner-up successfully handled drop down in trip to score Grade 1 here at Christmas, despite jumping markedly to his right throughout. Unlikely to get away with giving away that amount of ground this time but plenty of scope to kick on if he can jump straighter. Also engaged in Ladbrokes Novice Chase tomorrow.
Il Etait Temps: Talented sort, produced his best performance when coming off a searing hot pace in Grade 1 novice hurdle at this festival last season. First two starts over fences have been good - winning smoothly at Thurles and then second to Gaelic Warrior in Grade 1 Faugheen over Christmas. No match for that latter victor, but return to Leopardstown and this sort of trip should suit him and he can run well.
Marine Nationale: Unbeaten Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner made perfect start to chasing with bloodless success over this course and distance over Christmas, always jumped and travelled well from the front. He holds all of these rivals on his hurdles form so is the one to beat again, though really soft ground would be a negative. Already no bigger than 4/6 - and as short as 1/2 - for the Arkle at Cheltenham on the back of just one start over fences.
Senecia: Early form matches up with the useful Hercule Du Seuil but he has a huge deal to find on his latest effort - pulled up in a Thurles handicap hurdle on his return from an 11-week break.
Sharjah: Four of his six Grade 1 hurdle wins came at this track but strangely none at this meeting, all coming in the Matheson Hurdle at Christmas. That is probably a quirky statistic and a return to this course is a positive, but despite showing a good level over fences so far, including when third to Found A Fifty here at Christmas, he probably isn’t the force he was over hurdles, and now is an 11-year-old.
Conclusion:
Marine Nationale should stay unbeaten and set himself up for the Arkle at Cheltenham with an impressive win. Of the remainder, the vibes are strong that Facile Vega is back on track but his stablemate Il Etait Temps looks a more solid option to chase the favourite home.
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