Grade One Neville Hotels Novice Chase Guide 2022

Joe Glayshier | @joeglayshier

Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
8
Danny Mullins

Unexpected Depth

J: Danny Mullins
T: Oliver McKiernan
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: N/A
Days: 35

Boasts three hurdle career wins but the last win was over two years ago now. Finished second 12 lengths behind Three Stripe Life on chasing debut in November at Naas but followed that with a fourth-place finish at Thurles in a beginners chase last month.

The eight-year-old is capable of better but will need to find more in better company.

Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
4
Jordan Gainford

Frontal Assault

J: Jordan Gainford
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 142
Days: 32

A useful chaser who was below-par when finishing fifth at Navan 32 days ago in a grade B contest won by The Big Dog (11/1).

He was the 3/1 favourite that day following his success at Galway in October over 2m 6f. The seven-year-old is the second horse from Gordon Elliott’s yard in this race and can be a player if returning to the form he is capable of.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
19/11/23NAV24Sft/Hy10-105
22/10/23LIM24Sft11-07
03/10/23GAL23Sft/Hy11-103
12/02/23NAV24Gd/Y11-36
26/01/23GOW25Sft/Hy10-126
Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
5
Paul Townend

Gaillard Du Mesnil

J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-10
OR: 156
Days: 25

Smart runner who has been a very consistent horse in the top three of all his chasing outings. He has never finished outside the top three in his career but has yet to win a chase despite placing six times in a row.

The duo of Paul Townend and Willie Mullins could secure a first chasing victory for Gaillard Du Mesnil following his second-placed finish last time out in the Drinmore, finishing four lengths behind non-runner here Mighty Potter.

He’s back up in trip here with leading claims for victory.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN34.5GS11-03
14/03/23CHL30Sft11-71
05/02/23LEO21Y11-103
29/12/22LEO24Sft11-101
04/12/22FAI20Sft11-122
Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
3
Aidan Coleman

Churchstonewarrior

J: Aidan Coleman
T: Jonathan Sweeney
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: N/A
Days: 35

Churchstonewarrior was decent over hurdles and boasts placings from both his chasing starts at Galway and Thurles.

His last run was solid, with a couple of mistakes but ran on well to finish second behind The Goffer, who beat him by two lengths.

The six-year-old is open to more improvement over the fences but is up against some top horses.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
12/02/23NAV24Gd/Y11-31
29/12/22LEO24Sft11-102
24/11/22THU22Y11-122
30/10/22GAL22.5Sft/Hy11-122
03/04/22FAI20Y11-32
Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
7
Jack Kennedy

Three Stripe Life

J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-10
OR: N/A
Days: 25

A solid hurdler who won his first chase outing for Gordon Elliott at Naas last month over 2m 4f. Was pulled up in the

Drinmore earlier this month following a mistake where Mighty Potter won, and Gaillard Du Mesnil finished second.
Worth another shot here going up in trip.

Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
2
Keith Donoghue

Barnacullia

J: Keith Donoghue
T: Michael Mulvany
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-10
OR: N/A
Days: 40

Was a decent hurdler before making the switch to chasing in September, where he finished fourth at Listowel.

Has since finished third at Fairyhouse (October, 2m 5f), first at Galway (October, 2m 2f) and third at Punchestown (November, 2m).

That third-place finish in a grade two contest represents hope for a big run here but will need to step up again if in with any chance.

Leopardstown - December 29 2022
Leopardstown 13:45
1
Rachael Blackmore

Amirite

J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-10
OR: N/A
Days: 39

Amirite seems like a bit of a dark horse here with his two chasing runs yielding victory at Fairyhouse in October, winning a beginners chase by a nose and backing that up with an impressive third in a grade two contest at Punchestown last month.

He made a mistake midway through that race which cost him his chances of victory but this De Bromhead horse should have more to offer.