December 29 / 13.45 Leopardstown

13.45

Soft

Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £52212.39
  • 3m 0f 100y
  • 6 runners
RTE2
View Course
Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 1561-1

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point and bumper winner; impressed on hurdling debut last season before being found wanting in Grade 1 company; took advantage of a drop in class at Punchestown festival; jumped well when making a winning chase debut at Naas; may find third-placed Corbetts Cross a much tougher nut to crack now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Grangeclare West

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Excellent third in last season's Grand National; set tough tasks in Grade 1s this season before dropped in class to beat Gerri Colombe in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse; unseated at the first when 9-1 for the Grand National; stable's third string now.

14/1

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Grangeclare West

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Excellent 3l third in last year's renewal, somehow renewing his effort after diving at the final fence cost him plenty of momentum; creditable fifth at Sandown just three weeks later and surging clear from Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse this February, after another last-fence dive, showed that he's at least as good as ever; 3lb higher than 12 months ago but lots to like.

9/1

1st

7

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Grangeclare West

11st 0lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Excellent third in the Grand National last season, rallying well after a mistake at the last; poor seasonal return in the John Durkan but his 6.25l fourth behind Affordale Fury in the Savills was much better; tailed off in the Irish Gold Cup last time; it's interesting that Townend chooses him and he's well suited by the weightings; however, his best form is on better ground.

3/1

11/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11O-31 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very smart novice hurdler (rated 148) last term, completing hat-trick in Grade 2 Navan novice in February; every chance when running out at the last in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham; made a low-key chasing debut Naas when only third behind Grangeclare West; much more professional when scoring at Fairyouse and this trip ideal for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Emmet Mullins

Strong stayer who made short work of his rivals in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, heavy) last March and showed he could do more than just grind away when close up in the Bowl (3m1f, soft) at Aintree after; unable to go with Banbridge in the home straight in the King George at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day and his pace was again lacking over 2m5f at Ascot (good) last month, but this test can see him back in a good place; a dollop of rain would help but he isn't a forlorn hope.

20/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

15:37 Ascot

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Second-season chaser who never landed a blow in good-ground King George last time (raced mostly on soft/heavy otherwise); not short of stamina, having been successful over 3m6f at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but his last attempt over 2m5f resulted in a win; major player provided he copes with the return to this distance and shows best form.

5/2

Form: 43-913 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner returned to Cheltenham for chasing debut when making much of running and jumping generally soundly for smooth success; an aversion to right-handed tracks was confirmed when he hung badly at Punchestown; run can be forgiven on that basis, and he may turn the tables on the winner Favori De Champdou going this direction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Flooring Porter

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner; has not reached quite the same level in five starts over fences but he still won the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, soft) when last seen in September 2024, making all and barely coming off the bridle; hard to weigh up after a long absence but conditions should suit and he'd be no forlorn hope if ready to roll.

12/1

3

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:20 Listowel

Flooring Porter

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner and fine second in latest renewal in March; had three runs over fences last season, all over 3m; won at Cheltenham, jumped poorly when not enjoying going right-handed at Punchestown, and then fair third in Leopardstown Grade 1; found 2m1f much too sharp at Killarney in July on handicap debut; trip will suit.

8/1

5th

2

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:40 Killarney

Flooring Porter

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in last, soon outpaced and detached, some headway when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out

9/4

Form: 4/33-1

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fine third in 3m Navan Grade 2 on chasing debut in February; not as good in Naas Grade 3 the following month; put that experience to good use when justifying favouritism at Fairyhouse in October; faces a much sterner challenge now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

15:45 Galway

Flanking Maneuver

11st 10lb

J: Mr R James

T: Gordon Elliott

Rated 132; well-beaten on stable debut on latest behind Donacheady Gale at Listowel (2m6f, soft to heavy) but was giving that rival 19lb; will be getting 3lb from him today thanks to his jockey's claim and the return to better ground is in his favour; fine run here back in August and he should go well.

100/30

6th

4

28th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Flanking Maneuver

11st 5lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Stable debutant; ex-Gigginstown gelding shaped well on his last two starts for Noel Meade; third in the Blazers at Galway on latest, beaten 11l off 133 (behind Moonovercloon); same mark here and has place claims again.

8/1

3rd

3

2nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Flanking Maneuver

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Noel Meade

midfield, hampered by faller 5 out

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1P4-21 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner over hurdles, including Grade 2 at Limerick last December on testing ground; made a good start over fences when second to the useful Affordale Fury at Galway; impressed in winning Grade 2 Punchestown event in which Flooring Porter spoiled his chance by hanging badly left; no stamina doubts, ground suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Favori De Champdou

11st 1lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Experienced 11yo who's having a tremendous season; 66-1 winner of a top 3m handicap at Leopardstown (made most) over Christmas and took his form to another new level on the 3m5f Cheltenham cross-country course on last two outings, winning easily on first occasion and well clear of the third when he chased home Final Orders at last month's Festival; well handicapped and with the trip likely to suit, he's a leading contender.

40/1

2nd

2

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Favori De Champdou

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Fell mid-race here on cross-country debut in December but quickly bounced back when causing 66-1 shock in valuable handicap over regulation fences at Leopardstown's Christmas festival (3m, yielding) before winning comfortably by just over 8l returned to this C&D (soft) in January; still unexposed in this discipline; strong contender.

5/2

1st

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Favori De Champdou

12st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Fell mid-race here on last month's cross-country debut but quickly bounced back, causing 66-1 shock in valuable handicap over regulation fences at Leopardstown's Christmas festival (3m, yielding); well worth another go over this C&D and evidently in prime form.

8/1

Form: 252457 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
95-rated handicapper; 1-10 over fences; completely out of his depth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:52 Galway

Tullyhogue Fort

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: John F O’Neill

Ran well when second at Kilbeggan in July but was still beaten 13l; outclassed on the Flat latest but this much more suitable and was a close second in a division of this race in 2023 off 5lb higher; place shout.

16/1

9

(6)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

20:15 Killarney

Tullyhogue Fort

11st 4lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Capable jumper at an ordinary level; rated 42 on the Flat and should be outclassed.

200/1

10

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 155y

19:30 Roscommon

Tullyhogue Fort

11st 3lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Winless run stretches back to July 2023; beaten 13l when second of 12 in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle (18.5f, good) on latest; remains 4lb above his last win but has run well on both previous visits to this venue; place chance.

17/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €12.40
Straight Forecast €11.72
Trifecta €30.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Corbetts Cross

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Favori De Champdou

TOPSPEED:

Flanking Maneuver

The Irish Sun:

Corbetts Cross

POSTDATA:

Favori De Champdou