'He’s smart and this looks a nice race for him' - whose runner looks a tough nut to crack in the Grade 2 novice chase?

Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Farren Glory is the one to beat after landing his beginners' chase in good style at Naas a fortnight ago, especially if the track has any more rain.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old put in a smart display when landing the Royal Bond last season on soft ground and was cantering before falling two out in Grade 1 company at Aintree next time out. 

He had to play second fiddle to Inthepocket on his chase debut at Wexford but there was little shame in that, given the winner also has a Grade 1 victory and looks a very smart chasing prospect.

He went one better at Naas, albeit he put in a few scratchy jumps early on before warming to his task well. He has a big engine and will improve his jumping as he gains experience, so should be a tough nut to crack.

Jordans showed a good attitude to win in Grade 3 company over a longer trip at the track last month on good ground and he won't mind testing conditions, given he has form in France on it. In fact, he could improve for it and he's going the right way for the Joseph O'Brien stable.

However, the value lies with Fascile Mode at around 13-2 after he made an encouraging start in this sphere last month for Tom Mullins. He was a useful bumper horse and reached a decent level over hurdles but he looks set to scale loftier heights over fences.

He did well to beat the reopposing Touch Me Not by a neck at this track on his chase debut as he made a few novicey mistakes late on when travelling powerfully, and was value for more than the winning margin. The manner in which he went through the race was impressive and the front two pulled nicely clear of Moon D'Orange.

He has plenty to find with Farren Glory on hurdles form, but he's always been a horse who promised plenty and seemed to really enjoy his new assignment last time out. He's won three times at this track.

What they say 

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Farren Glory and Touch Me Not
Farren Glory was a Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler and has made a nice start to chasing. He won well enough at Naas, as we expected him to, and hopefully he will come forward from that again. He’s a smart horse and this looks a nice race for him. Touch Me Not was just touched off on his last visit to Punchestown. He jumped well there and enjoyed himself, so there should be more to come. He should improve for that spin, too.

Tom Mullins, trainer of Fascile Mode
He was very good at the track the last day and jumped very well. This looked a nice next step for him. He's versatile ground-wise, I just wouldn't run him on heavy. He has won three times at the track, so he enjoys it and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Jordans and Nurburgring
Nurburgring ran very well when third on his chase debut at Navan and we're hoping for another nice run. Jordans won a Grade 3 nicely at the track last time and hopefully he'd have an each-way chance if he copes with the softer ground.

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