Blackstairmountain has recorded two wins out of two since making the transition to novice chasing and Willie Mullins’ exciting seven-year-old will look to maintain his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles in Sunday’s Irish Arkle Novice Chase from Leopardstown.
A Grade One winning performer over hurdles, the Co. Carlow inmate was exceptional on his chasing debut when recording a facile success at Clonmel in early December before producing a masterful performance in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, where he beat a whole host of classy rivals, with some of them set to take him on again on Sunday.
Paddy Power have installed him as the 13/8 favourite for Sunday’s 2m 1f contest and if he can replicate that festive showing then must be the one to beat, but there will be a major contender for the title from the improving Flemenstar.
A 9/4 shot with Paddy Power, the Peter Casey-trained seven-year-old is another who has improved immeasurably over fences and has bagged two impressive victories in recent months including a classy three-and-a-half length win over Lambro at Naas earlier in the month. Travelling ominously throughout for David Casey, the gelding duly pulled clear of his market rival in the closing stages to record an impressive victory, however, Sunday’s assignment is certainly a step up and he will need to improve if he is to get the better of Blackstairmountain.
David Pipe will send over Notus De La Tour (10/3 Paddy Power) as he looks to reverse the form that saw him finish second to Blackstairmountain in the aforementioned Racing Post Novice Chase last month. The six-year-old travelled well in the contest, but lacked the turn of foot in the closing stages to go with Blackstairmountain and he will need to improve to get the better of that rival on Sunday.
Ideally, for both Flemenstar and Notus De La Tour they would relish a bit more cut in the ground so any rain deluges over the weekend would certainly aid their chances in an intriguing renewal that will unearth a potential challenger for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Lucky William (12/1) notched up two victories over fences earlier in the campaign, but when stepped up in class was just found wanting against some proven top notch performers and he is another who has form to find with Blackstairmountain on the back of the Racing Post contest.
Foildubh (12/1) and Baily Green (33/1) were another duo who found themselves way back in that contest, whilst Gift Of Dgab (14/1) will hope for better fortune having been brought down by Bog Warrior in the race, but he could be a surprise package if he can build on some early season form.
However, Blackstairmountain has shown he has the measure of most of these rivals and even though Flemenstar is on the up, he hasn’t proven it at the top level and could struggle to live with the Mullins’ raider.
13/8 Blackstairmountain
9/4 Flemenstar
10/3 Notus De La Tour
12/1 Lucky William
12/1 Foildubh
14/1 Gift of Dgab
33/1 Baily Green
Odds Supplied by PaddyPower.com, featuring best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse racing.
Posted: Friday, 27th January 2012
Author: Steve Chambo
Tags: irish arkle chase, blackstairmountain, leopardstown, paddypower,
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