3m Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade B) (5yo+ 0-150)
Lots of chances in the Paddy Power Chase as always. Willie Mullins has got four in this and I like the chances of STONES AND ROSES at currently big odds. He’s been very lightly-raced over the last two years coming back with a decent performance in a Grade B Handicap featuring today’s King George winner Tornado Flyer, last-years winner Castlebawn West, Daly Tiger and Farclas.
Stones And Roses then backed that up with a strong looking Punchestown success over 3m 1f putting away some good chasers in Screaming Colours and Mister Fogpatches with ease. Stones And Roses’s return this season on ground quicker than ideal over 3m 5f was better than the bare result and that should have put him spot on for this step back up in trip.
There is often a class angle in the race and plenty of tempters with Braeside, Alfa Mix and The Bosses Oscar in here. But I’ll take a chance on the fitting of a hood and an attempt at three miles for the first time bringing out the best in NOBLE YEATS.
Held in high regard by Emmet Mullins, Noble Yeats has some very interesting back-form having run closely behind Blazing Khan on his first start under rules in a bumper and sixth behind Kilcruit in the Goff Future Stars Grade 1 bumper last year.
Noble Yeats won first and only start to date in a maiden hurdle over 2m 6f to finish his first campaign after pointing. He then defeated Gabynako on his opening chase start this season before putting in a staying on performance in a Grade 3 to finish 0.5 length behind Run Wild Fred (before he went on to with the Troytown).
A run over two miles last time can be completely ignored as the trip was way too short and he was shown to be clinically abnormal post-race so he isn’t worth writing off yet in his first start in a handicap on a workable mark of 142.
1pt each-way Noble Yeats @8/1, 14:55 Leopardstown, Monday (1-7 places, 1/5 odds with Paddy Power)
1pt each-way Stones And Roses @18/1, 14:55 Leopardstown, Monday (1-7 places, 1/5 odds with Paddy Power)