2.15 Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f

Benruben: Talented sort at his best and followed up a beginners’ chase success at Killarney with a Grade 3 triumph at Roscommon the following month. He had to settle for fourth behind Felix Desjy when stepping up to Grade 2 level next time and that leaves him with plenty to do.

Blackbow: Top-class bumper horse at his best but struggled to reach those heights over hurdles last term. A switch to fences brought about a notable revival in his fortunes when he won well from Entoucas at Navan last month and the manner of that effort suggested he would be quite at home in good company. A likely contender.

Darver Star: Relentless improver who ended last season with a superb third in the Champion Hurdle. Started off over fences with an impressive success at Punchestown but struggled on heavy ground behind Felix Desjy in a Grade 2 back at that track last month. He is certainly better than he showed last time and a return to form on better ground wouldn’t surprise.

Embittered: Very smart novice hurdler last season when his form included a third in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Has yet to win over fences but has posted two solid efforts to chase home Easywork and Andy Dufresne and has shown enough to suggest a decent prize can come his way. However, this demands more.

Felix Desjy: High-class novice hurdler and Grade 1 winner and has made a bright start over fences by winning at Killarney and then defeating Sizing Pottsie in a Grade 2 at Punchestown last month where he looked a good deal more relaxed that has previously been the case. This represents another rise in class but the form of his last run looks solid and he is a leading contender.

Franco De Port: Looked a talented sort on occasion last season and made a bright start over fences when winning a beginner’s event at Thurles last month. This race will require a good deal more but there should be plenty to come from him following his reappearance and he commands maximum respect.

Verdict

Felix Desjy produced a nice display at Punchestown last month when he looked much more settled than his previously been the case. That last win leaves him setting the standard here and he can see off Blackbow who produced quite a taking effort on his first outing over fences at Navan. It wouldn’t surprise to see Darver Star bounce back to form for the switch to better ground.