12.57 3m. 170yds. 5 Declared. Finlay Ford At Naas Novice S'chase (Grade 3) of €30,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €18,000.00 2nd - €6,000.00 3rd - €3,000.00 4th - €1,500.00 5th - €900.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - RAMILLIES won on chase debut last month and is suited by soft ground and this distance. He lacked a gear in Grade 1 hurdles but won an ordinary Thurles chase nicely, defeating Tenzing by 2.25 lengths. Chemical Energy had similar hurdles ability and won impressively at Cheltenham in October, easily defeating an out-of-sorts Mahler Mission - which subsequently defeated Tenzing by 10 lengths. Chemical Energy is made for staying chases but his best form is on good ground, flopped once at Kilbeggan and returns from a mini-break, conceding 3lb. Amirite, a wide-margin Kilbeggan hurdles winner, was Grade 2-placed in November and should get involved. Thedevilscoachman is well suited by testing ground and steps up slightly in distance but was well held when falling in the Drinmore.
A novice steeplechase for five years old and upwardsWeights - 5-y-o 10st 7lbs 6-y-o and up 11st Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - Winner of two steeplechases 3lb extra Of three steeplechases or a Grade 3 steeplechase 6lb extra Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 8lb extra Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 12lb extra