A number of astute chasers, including General Principle and Burrows Saint, two recent Irish National winners, have secured the Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase. Gordon Elliott burdened General Principle, and he has Favori De Champdou as his other front-runner.
The smart operator who won two Grade 2 races was victorious in the Florida Pearl Novice Chase in November, finishing 14 lengths ahead of Sandor Clegane.
He failed to repeat that form in Leopardstown's Grade 1 company, and his Ten Up encounter at Navan ended badly for him as he got into a pace duel with Minella Cocooner. As long as he heals from his fall in the Irish National, Jack Kennedy will find it difficult to beat him and he is the race's class act.
Despite having a lot of skill, Joyeux Machin, who was trained by Paul Nolan, appears to need luck to have a chance. After defeating Effernock Fizz at Wexford in December, he showed promise, but on a more difficult course, he has faltered in his last three starts.
Although the conditions won't show him in the best light—he has won four times on yielding or good ground—he does receive eight pounds from Favori De Champdou.
After a 15-month layoff, John Ryan saddles two, and Gaelic Arc is intriguing. As a hurdler, he had some valuable Graded form to his name and wasn't defeated by competitors like Champ Kiely and Pied Piper.
Though the trainer is accustomed to running horses in quick succession and they have a good tendency to hold their form, he is competing in the 6.15 at Clonmel on Thursday. Ryan's other contender is Donacheady Gale, who may find it difficult in this company despite showing good form in two chase starts since returning from a break of more than two years.
Bella Bliss, who has some useful forms under her belt but probably needs a better surface to be seen at her best, is John McConnell's go-to girl.
Gordon Elliott, trainer of Favori De Champdou said: “He had a hard race at Fairyhouse but seems in good form since and it's a Graded race so you have to take your chance. He'll like the ground and hopefully can run well.”