Grade One Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase Guide 2023

Top hurdler who won four hurdle contests before finishing a disappointing seventh in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival last March at 10/3.

Is now an unbeaten chaser, with victories at Punchestown and Naas, the latter being a 21-length success over Gaelic Arc over 2m.

The 9-year-old is up against some top horses here but is a talented gelding who is being backed as the favourite by punters. Should go close.

Competitive hurdler who finished fourth in the Champion hurdle last March behind winner Honeysuckle, Epatante and Zanahiyr before making the switch to chasing after two average consecutive hurdle runs at Punchestown and Tipperary last summer.

Finished second in a beginner’s chase behind fellow runner Fil Dor at Navan in November before winning a grade one novice contest at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, where he got revenge on Fil Dor, who finished third on that occasion.

This is a tougher test, but it is up to him if he can show more than he has so far.

Consistent runner who has three hurdle victories to his name before beginning chasing career with a third placed finish in a beginner’s chase won by Journey With Me at Naas in December.

Went one better with a victory in another beginner’s chase at Fairyhouse last month, beating Francin by 38 lengths.
Tougher ask here, but could spring a surprise for Willie Mullins.

Made the switch to chasing after seventh and nineteenth placed finishes in succession at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown respectively, with his last hurdle success coming in 2021.

Won his maiden chase at Wexford in July last year and has never left the top three in three more runs since. The last of those was a second placed finish at Leopardstown, sandwiching winner Saint Roi and Fil Dor.

He is the outsider here but has placed in all his chasing runs and was priced at 25/1 last time out. This is tougher, however.

An experienced hurdler who has switched to chasing following a disappointing 12th placed finish in a grade one novice hurdle outing at Aintree in April last year, won by Gelino Bello.

Since the switch, he has two victories and a third-placed finish last time out in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December last year, where Mighty Potter triumphed ahead of Gaillard Du Mesnil.

He’s a good enough gelding to make a challenge for victory here, but it’s a tough ask against the Mullins horses.

A little bit light of experience compared to some here but visually possesses quality. Decent hurdler who narrowly lost out to Jonbon at Aintree in April last year by a neck before winning at Punchestown later that month in a novice hurdle contest.

Won his beginner’s chase at Fairyhouse in December with ease, beating Colonel Mustard by 19 lengths over 2m.

The distance suits him and at 13/2 he is the value bet of the race, as well as being in the hunt for victory.

Went four unbeaten at the beginning of his career before falling in the Supreme at Cheltenham last year, a race won by the impressive Constitution Hill.

He’s now an unbeaten chaser, boasting a victory in a beginner’s chase at Leopardstown in December 2022.

He was ridden by Paul Townend for that victory but with Townend riding Appreciate It, Danny Mullins is booked to ride, looking to overcome the favourite and he has every chance.

Top class hurdler and chaser, who has never finished below third in his career so far for Gordon Elliott. He is a winner of three hurdle contests before winning his maiden chase at Navan in November, where he was 10/11 favourite.

Ran a perhaps slightly disappointing run at Leopardstown in that clash with Saint Roi but the youngest horse in the race has more to build on.