4.10 2m. 4f. 127yds. 21 Declared. TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £120,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €67,524.00 2nd - €25,440.00 3rd - €12,732.00 4th - €6,360.00 5th - €3,192.00 6th - €1,596.00 7th - €792.00 8th - €408.00
Formscan - 5-5 is the score between the English and Irish in this valuable prize over the last 10 years, and the winner of each of the last two renewals have come at a price. With that in mind, the Henry De Bromhead-trained ARCTIC BRESIL looks the way to go. The seven-year-old is yet to taste success over fences in three starts, but his most recent second behind the promising Mister Policeman at Punchestown suggests he is on the improve and that performance makes a mark of 135 look manageable on his handicap debut. Last year's third, Shakem Up'arry, only has a 4lb higher mark to contend with this time around and comes into the race on the back of a smooth C&D victory in the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap. Crebilly is likely to attract plenty of support after beating two rivals who have finished second in Grade 2 events, so he should be competitive off a rating of 140.