Grade Three Novice Chase Guide 2023

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Naas - January 29 2023
Naas 12:57
3
Mr R A Berry

Francin

J: Mr R A Berry
T: J A Berry
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-0
OR: N/A
Days: 15

Francin is the oldest horse in the race so he will have it all to do against the younger quartet here. He has only raced 15 times which is not a lot at all considering he is 10 years of age.

Had two very lengthy absences off the track which halted his development and finds himself as the outsider of this five-runner field.

Was formerly trained by Willie Mullins so he must have shown some sort of potential as a younger horse, but since leaving that yard he has gone off at huge prices in his last five runs.

His best days are well behind him and he is completely out of his depth in a contest such as this.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
19/02/23PUN16Y10-123
29/01/23NAA25Sft11-0F
14/01/23FAI17Sft/Hy11-52
08/01/23NAA16Sft10-93
21/12/22FAI21Y/Sft10-105
Naas - January 29 2023
Naas 12:57
4
Paul Townend

Ramillies

J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-0
OR: N/A
Days: 42

Jockey and trainer won this race last year with Stattler who then went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival so connections of Ramillies will be hoping the same can happen this year with their 8-year-old grey.

He won just the once over hurdles in four career starts over the smaller obstacles, but took like a duck to water when sent chasing for the first time at Thurles just before Christmas.

Paul Townend rode him to victory in that beginners chase beating stablemate Tenzing by 2 1/4 lengths as he approached the last and kept on well in the run-in.

Should be right there as he has had the experience of running in Grade 1 hurdle contests so holds very strong claims here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/03/23CHL24.5Sft11-7PU
29/01/23NAA25Sft11-02
18/12/22THU24.5Y11-121
27/04/22PUN24Gd/Y11-106
18/03/22CHL24GS11-86
Naas - January 29 2023
Naas 12:57
5
B J Cooper

Thedevilscoachman

J: B J Cooper
T: Noel Meade
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-0
OR: N/A
Days: 56

Thedevilscoachman was successful over hurdles winning four of six career starts over the smaller obstacles before being sent chasing by trainer Noel Meade.

He won at this course a few years ago on debut for the yard in a National Hunt flat race and this will be his second time back at this track.

The J. P. McManus owned gelding found himself in the winners enclosure after notching up Grade 2 honours over hurdles. He won the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last year beating Ashdale Bob by a short head.

Will be his first time over this trip which could unlock more potential so he makes a fairly strong case here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/01/23NAA25Sft11-01
04/12/22FAI20Sft11-12F
30/10/22GAL22.5Sft/Hy11-121
22/02/22NAV21Hy11-61
09/01/22FAI17Sft12-02
Naas - January 29 2023
Naas 12:57
1
Davy Russell

Chemical Energy

J: Davy Russell
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-3
OR: N/A
Days: 99

Jockey Davy Russell takes the ride yet again on Chemical Energy after recently making his return to riding after announcing that he was going to be coming out of retirement not so long ago.

He could make it 3-3 on the horse as he looks to have a great chance to notch up what would be a seventh career success. He goes fairly well fresh and proved that on his second start over fences at Listowel.

Things did not go to plan on chase debut prior to that win and he was well fancied too so they clearly think a lot of the horse.

The 7-year-old stepped up to Class 2 company on his latest outing and certainly made an impression that day. Albeit he only faced two other rivals, he managed to draw well clear of both Life In The Park and Mahler Mission to romp home by a staggering 61 lengths.

Has to give weight away, but proven over this trip and is a strong contender.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/03/23CHL30Sft11-72
29/01/23NAA25Sft11-34
22/10/22CHL24.5Gd11-71
18/09/22LIS17Gd11-21
22/04/22KLB22Gd/Y11-125
Naas - January 29 2023
Naas 12:57
2
Rachael Blackmore

Amirite

J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-0
OR: N/A
Days: 31

Amirite was previously a winning hurdler as he beat the Gordon Elliot trained The Waltzer by 30 lengths over 2m3f at Kilbeggan.

After a 145-day break, he then got up on the line to win on his chase debut at Fairyhouse in October. Was stepped up in Class and trip next time out where he managed to finish third behind a couple of decent horses, including Minella Crooner.

He ran no race at all last time out falling in a 3-mile Grade 1 at Leopardstown and the softer conditions should not halt his chances of bouncing back here.

Would be no surprise to see him in the mix.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/01/23NAA25Sft11-03
29/12/22LEO24Sft11-10UR
20/11/22PUN22.5Y11-33
08/10/22FAI21Gd11-121
22/04/22KLB19Gd/Y11-41