5.00 Underwriting Exchange Gold Cup Novice Chase

(Grade 1) 2m 4f

Andy Dufresne: Talented sort over hurdles last season and has looked just as good over fences this term with two wins and a respectable third to Monkfish in a Leopardstown Grade 1 when he shaped better than the bare result. He can progress further and lines up with each-way prospects.

Asterion Forlonge: Struck at Grade 1 level as a novice hurdler and started out brightly over fences before enduring some jumping woes. However, he has since put together two clear rounds at the top level and he comes here off a respectable third to Chantry House at Cheltenham which makes him a lively contender.

Cedarwood Road: Looked very promising over hurdles and has progressed with each run over fences with his latest start yielding a beginners’ chase success at Gowran Park last month. This is vastly tougher but there is a good deal more to come from him over fences.

Conflated: Can look very smart on occasion as he showed when winning his beginners’ chase at Navan and when bolting up (in a Grade 3 at Naas last month. A couple of his early season efforts would suggest that going left-handed suits him best though which tempers enthusiasm for his chances.

Franco De Port: Did very well in 2m 1f Grade 1s at Leopardstown earlier in the season when waiting tactics yielded a win at Christmas and a second to Energumene in the Arkle. However, he struggled when taking on Shishkin at Cheltenham and a return to his best is essential for him to be closely involved.

I’m A Game Changer: Strong-travelling type who has plenty of talent and put it all together to win a Grade 3 at Thurles a couple of weeks ago. This is a far better race and he might find this level of competition beyond him.

Janidil: Quality sort over hurdles and made a bright start over fences when winning a decent 2m 3f beginners’ event at Naas in November. He has since been well held by Colreevy in a Grade 1 at Limerick and he fell with four to jump behind Monkfish last time. A decent showing wouldn’t shock but he has a couple of questions to answer.

January Jets: Shaped up well in beginners’ races won by Envoi Allen and Janidil before then bolting up in a beginners’ event at Leopardstown over Christmas. He remains a horse of potential over fences and could be placed to advantage in a good race but this might just be beyond him.

Scarlet And Dove: Really likeable mare who has won her last three completed starts over fences which included a 2m Grade 3 at Navan before she ran out an easy winner of a mares’ Grade 2 at Limerick eight days later. Progressing all the time but another jump forward is now required.

Verdict

Andy Dufresne came up short against Monkfish last time but still ran a respectable race and he finished in front of Asterion Forlonge on that occasion. This pair might well be the two to beat here, with preference for the former who can progress further after just three previous runs over fences.

Scarlet And Dove is progressing well and, while this race demands more, a good showing from her looks possible.