2.00 ERSG Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f

Bapaume: Very talented gelding who ran far better than his final position would suggest on his chasing debut and then impressed to beat a stack of subsequent winners at Naas. A feature of his chasing efforts has been his good jumping which will stand him in good stead as he drops back to this trip for this assignment. He has prospects of getting closely involved.

Cash Back: Reached a rating of 141 in just three runs over hurdles last season and has impressed in winning both his starts over fences this term, with his latest wide-margin success at Naas marking him out as a potentially high-class novice. Another strong showing should be forthcoming.

Gallant John Joe: Progressed into a very useful novice hurdler last season when he won a listed event at Naas and was placed at Grade 1 level over 2m 6f at this track. Began his career over fences with an excellent 2¼l second to Melon and he is far from a forlorn hope on that evidence.

Melon: Dual Champion Hurdle runner-up who progressed from a solid chasing debut behind Fakir D’oudairies to win a beginners’ event over this course and distance at Christmas when he did well to come back from a last fence error. He was the best of these as a hurdler, and the promise of more to come from him as a chaser entitles him to respect.

Notebook: Useful sort over hurdles but has taken things to another level as a chaser, winning all three of his outings so far. His 5l defeat of Moon Over Germany at Punchestown followed by his very taking Grade 1 success over this course and distance in December make him one of the star two-mile novices of this season.

Royal Rendezvous: Made a bright start over fences at Thurles when accounting for Milan Native and shaped up well for a long way in a Grade 1 at Christmas when third to Notebook, but he has plenty to do to turn around that form.

Fakir D’oudairies: High-class juvenile hurdler who has proved just as good over fences. Possibly he is better than the bare form of his 1½l second to Notebook last time as he didn’t enjoy the smoothest of passages at a crucial stage, and a clear run this time could enable him to get closer.

Conclusion

A fascinating rematch between Notebook and Fakir D’oudairies who dominated a Grade 1 over this course and distance at Christmas, and preference is for the latter who is put forward in the belief that he is better than he got to show last time. Bapaume is a chaser of potential and it wouldn’t surprise if he did best of the Willie Mullins contingent.