Friday 29 December · Leopardstown, Eire
13:45 Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)
- Distance
- 3m 0f 100y
- Going
- Soft (Soft to Heavy in places)
- Class
- 1
- Prize
- EUR 100000
- Runners
- 6
Race preview
A real test of stamina should bring out the best in CORBETTS CROSS and he can strike at the top level here. The Gamut gelding had the class to win over the minimum trip as a novice hurdler but has always shaped like a real stayer. He improved from his initial outing over fences to run out a cosy winner at Fairyhouse earlier in the month and going up again in distance will help. Grangeclare West beat the selection at Naas on their seasonal debuts and is a classy sort when right. The ground here would be a slight concern though over this trip. Flooring Porter threw away his chance when jumping badly left at Punchestown last month. He's much more at home going this way around and is fancied to turn the tables on Favori De Champdou. The former top staying hurdler obviously commands plenty of respect.
| Pos | Horse | Form | Jockey | Trainer | Wgt | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grangeclare West | 1/1561-1 | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 11 10 | 4-1 | |
| 2 | Corbetts Cross | 111R-31 | Mark Walsh | E Mullins | 11 10 | 13-8 | |
| 3 | Flooring Porter | 443-913 | Keith Donoghue | G P Cromwell | 11 10 | 3-1 | |
| 4 | Flanking Maneuver | 214/33-1 | M J M O'Sullivan | N Meade | 11 10 | 18-1 | |
| 5 | Favori De Champdou | 11P4-21 | Jack Kennedy | G Elliott | 11 10 | 3-1 | |
| 6 | Tullyhogue Fort | 252457 | Mr P J O'Neill | John F O'Neill | 11 10 | 300-1 |