2.10 2m. 1f. 57yds. 9 Declared. Patrick Ward & Co. Arkle Novice S'chase (Grade 1) of €125,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €75,000.00 2nd - €25,000.00 3rd - €12,500.00 4th - €6,250.00 5th - €3,750.00 6th - €2,500.00
FormscanBy Alan Magee - Another Grade 1 in which Willie Mullins appears to hold most of the aces, although tactics will be interesting with plenty of front-runners. ENERGUMENE is taken to make it three from three over fences this season. The point-to-point winner has really impressed this term easily winning over 2m4f at Gowran Park and again made all and jumped well when accounting for Captain Guinness over two miles at Naas last month. Unexcepted is a half-brother to the exciting front-running chaser Great Field and made an impressive start over fences at Tipperary back in October. Franco De Port is the only Grade 1 winner over fences in the line-up having finished strongly to beat Darver Star and Felix Desjy over course and distance at Christmas. Darver Star would prefer better ground, while Felix Desjy was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles at Aintree and is another that likes to force the pace.
A novice steeplechase for five years old and upwardsWeights - 5-y-o 11st 7lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs