Kerrymaid Rated Novice Chase

Progressive in handicap hurdles before starting life as a chaser with an immediate win at Kilbeggan (2m4f, good); lost chance at Killarney in July with a bad mistake at the sixth; cosy winner on handicap chase debut at the Galway races last time (2m2f, soft); not suited by the conditions of the race but not ruled out.

Some good hurdles form with two wins and a third in the 2024 Cheltenham mares' hurdle; improved over moderate first three chase starts to score an easy 7l victory at Killarney in May (2m5f, yielding); well beaten in Grade 3 novice chase at Galway and tailed off in a Killarney Listed handicap chase (2m5f, good to yielding) when reported to have lost a shoe last time; something to prove now but O'Keeffe remains loyal.

Flat/hurdles winner got first chase win at Downpatrick last time at the seventh attempt in a handicap off 116 (2m2f, good); that was a personal best for him over jumps; his rider now takes 7lb off his back, which should put him in the mix based on ratings.

Ultra easy victor at Roscommon on chasing debut last time (2m, yielding); somewhat surprising given his moderate hurdling form; the form of that race is perhaps shaky but it was hard not be impressed; here lies a bigger test.

Navan handicap hurdle winner in December (3m1f, yielding to soft); some decent runs following off a mark of around 127; dropped away tamely on chasing debut at Tipperary in May when last seen; needs to improve.