Assessing the contenders for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Naas on Sunday - including the JP McManus-owned favourite

A new two-mile Grade 2 novice chase (1.25) sponsored by the Racing Post takes place on the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle card on Sunday. Here we assess the leading contenders in a race that, when run as a conventional novice chase, was won by Energumene, Blue Lord and Appreciate It in recent years . . .

Inthepocket

Trainer Henry de Bromhead

Jockey Rachael Blackmore

Form 41/2-1 

Strengths Gained an impressive first chase win at the second attempt at Wexford in October, with the second and third landing novice chases since. Was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles as a novice in 2023 and his Supreme fourth that year is the only time he has finished out of the first two in seven starts under rules. The sole course winner in the five-runner field, having landed a Grade 2 novice hurdle at the track in 2022.

Weaknesses Only one start over fences last season before his campaign ended prematurely and has not run for two months since his maiden chase success, with his main rivals in action last month. Was not the highest rated of the leading trio over hurdles.

Forecast SP 11-10f

Inthepocket13:25 Naas

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Jky: Rachael Blackmore Tnr: Henry De Bromhead

Firefox

Trainer Gordon Elliott

Jockey Sam Ewing

Form 322-13 

Strengths Placed in three of his four Grade 1 starts in novice hurdles and made a successful start over fences over 2m4f at Down Royal in November. A beaten evens favourite when third in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse last month but was not beaten far and did not get an ideal run through. That form has been franked, with his successful stablemate Croke Park following up in the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase at Leopardstown and the runner-up Heart Wood running well back in open company when fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at the same meeting.

Weaknesses Registered the lowest Racing Post Rating of the trio's chase debut efforts and has 6lb to find with Inthepocket on RPRs in this contest. His best form over hurdles came at 2m but he has yet to be tested at that speed over fences.

Forecast SP 15-8

Firefox13:25 Naas

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Jky: Sam Ewing Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Ile Atlantique

Trainer Willie Mullins

Jockey Paul Townend

Form 2357-1 

Strengths Dominated a 2m4f beginners' chase at Navan last month. Best effort over hurdles came on this card last year when a neck second to stablemate Readin Tommy Wrong in the feature Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle. Likely to attempt to make it a test from the front.

Weaknesses Navan form has not worked out, with the second and third failing to trouble the principals in Grade 1 company next time. His best two efforts over hurdles on RPRs came over 2m4f and 2m5f so the drop back to the minimum distance is a concern – albeit underfoot conditions will be in his favour.

Forecast SP 11-4

Ile Atlantique13:25 Naas

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

Verdict

Firefox's Grade 1 effort in the Drinmore can be marked up but the vote goes to Inthepocket. He has the most potential of the leading trio and the form of his first chase success at Wexford has worked out quite well. He can land this prize on the way to bigger spring targets.

Inthepocket13:25 Naas

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Jky: Rachael Blackmore Tnr: Henry De Bromhead

And don't miss this . . .

Last season's Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux bids for a second Grade 1 win in the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle (1.55).

The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Jasmin De Vaux was a 100th Cheltenham Festival winner for Willie Mullins in March and made an impressive debut over hurdles at Navan last month.

He is a general 8-1 second for the Turners Novices' Hurdle in March and a best-price 20-1 for the Supreme with bet365.

Champion Bumper sixth The Yellow Clay, who is 3-3 over hurdles, and the intriguing Butch Cassidy appear to be Jasmin De Vaux's main dangers.

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