Bar One Racing Drinmore

Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Found A Fifty: Emerged as a smart novice hurdler early this year when smooth winner here and then just touched off by Corbetts Cross in Grade 2. Disappointed in top company thereafter but may have been too much too soon and got his chasing career off to perfect start in Down Royal beginners’ contest his trainer often targets his best novice chaser at (Samcro, Delta Work, Envoi Allen among others). He travelled strongly there, jumped well and came comfortably clear of the useful Colonel Mustard. He is taking a bigger step up compared to his main market rivals but he has lots of potential as a lightly-raced six-year-old.

I Am Maximus: Remarkable winner of the Irish Grand National when last seen, his first win over fences, appearing not to travel early in the contest before coming home strongly under an excellent ride. Earlier he had shown good form in novice company, but was ultimately well held - fourth to Mighty Potter at Dublin Racing Festival and fourth in Brown Advisory. Likely he will fare better back at longer trips but no surprise if he runs well - much like Gaillard Du Mesnil did in this race for same stable 12 months ago.

Letsbeclearaboutit: Lightly-raced eight-year-old progressed nicely as novice hurdler last season, which culminated with a couple of fourth-placed finishes in Albert Bartlett and Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Already shapes as if he’ll be a better chaser, easily accounting for subsequent Munster National runner-up Largy Debut in his beginners and then very smooth winner of Grade 3 at Cork; both of those wins coming over today’s trip. The likely horse to beat.

Perceval Legallois: Stablemate to Letsbeclearaboutit and ran in the same Cork Grade 3 last time - falling at the third last just as the race began to heat up. Earlier he looked promising when jumping and travelling well for his beginners chase over what was potentially an inadequate two-mile-two-furlong trip at Galway, considering his best form was at three miles over hurdles last season - won Grade B handicap hurdle at Dublin Racing Festival. It may well be that we see the best of him at that trip over fences as well.

Sharjah: Six-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles has come to chasing late in the day as a 10-year-old but so far has shown a real appetite for it with two wins from two runs. His rider Paul Townend was particularly impressed with his jumping in Grade 3 at Tipperary latest (12 length winner over the useful Captain Conby), which came over today’s trip and opened a new avenue for him. He might well be unfashionable given his profile, but he should not be underestimated.

Conclusion

The prospect of Sharjah winning this as a 10-year-old novice may be somewhat unappealing to some, but Willie Mullins’ six-time Grade 1 winner has done little wrong over fences so far and needless to say, was streets ahead of his rivals here over hurdles. With his stable now beginning to hit form, he looks a big threat to his younger rivals.