BAR 1 Betting Leinster National Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

Four-time hurdles winner; won Punchestown beginners' chase last February; beaten at short odds in a Thurles Grade 3 next time; better effort upped to 3m4f at Sandown when third (good); positive seasonal return at Punchestown when a 4.5l runner-up (2m6f, soft to heavy); weakened before three out and pulled up in Thyestes last time (3m1f, heavy); must shoulder top weight here again.

Three-time chase winner was pulled up on final run for Gavin Cromwell; beaten 29l at Haydock (3m2f, soft) and pulled up in the Theyestes last time (3m1f, heavy); blinkers now tried but hard to fancy.

Just 1-13 and no wins from seven chasing starts; however, he was still travelling nicely when making a bad mistake and unseating at two out in this race last year off 3lb lower (3m1f, soft); led over the last at Leopardstown (3m1f, yielding) in a Listed chase on seasonal return before fading into a 5.75l third; had blood at both nostrils when tailed off last time; not ruled out if bringing his best.

Dual chase winner with last win coming at Galway in October 2024 (2m7f, soft); tailed off in a Grade 2 hurdle on seasonal return at Navan and similar story in a Listed handicap chase back there next time (2m5f, soft to heavy); distant third over hurdles at Gowran last month (2m4f, heavy); back down to winning mark now but others more likely.

Dual chase winner last term and ran a cracker in the Kim Muir over 3m2f at Cheltenham; not at the same level in four runs since, including when always behind and pulled up at Leopardstown last time; needs to show some spark.