The big race in Ireland on Saturday is the Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase over 2m at Navan (16:03).
Champion trainer Willie Mullins has landed the spoils twice before, so progressive mare Cut The Mustard appeals to give him another winner.
Owned by Sullivan Bloodstock, this eight-year-old has two out of three over fences. She was rated as high as 137 over hurdles last season and is now on that mark in this sphere.
Cut The Mustard ran a string of solid races in defeat in competitive handicaps last season.
The daughter of Al Namix made an impressive chase bow at Limerick over Christmas when bolting up by 14 lengths. She travelled well to lead two out and then shot readily clear in the mud.
It was a taking display, and Cut The Mustard was far from disgraced when pitched in at Grade 2 level and runner-up to stable companion Elimay at Thurles. The winner is an above average mare owned by JP McManus.
Cut The Mustard was beaten nine lengths by her, but had previous scorer and subsequent Irish Grand National Trial runner-up Augusta Gold four lengths behind in third.
She confirmed form with the fourth home, Tintangle, in the Opera Hat when eased to Listed level at Naas last time out.
Paul Townend nudged Cut The Mustard further clear from the last to score easily by six lengths. As she gets weight all-round in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase, race terms are in her favour.
With further progress looking assured, Cut The Mustard is fancied at 7/4 with bookmakers to take this en route to potentially bigger and better things.
I’m A Game Changer the ratings danger
Gordon Elliott’s chase maiden I’m A Game Changer tops the adjusted ratings here with 2lb and upwards in hand on the seven-runner field. He is feared most despite being yet to get his head in front.
This eight-year-old Arcadio gelding joined Elliott from Philip Hobbs’ stable for this season and arguably brings leading form claims into the Flyingbolt Novice Chase.
I’m A Game Changer was far from disgraced on his bow for the yard when third to Fakir D’oudairies over course and distance.
He was attempting to give the winner, who has since landed the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse, 8lb weight-for-age.
That puts the 16-length margin of defeat in a different light. I’m A Game Changer was also 13 lengths behind dual Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon – a chase winner since.
He fell next time up at the seventh fence, again over course and distance, in a race won by Cash Back.
I’m A Game Changer proved himself now worse for that tumble, however, when chasing home Tornado Flyer in a Grade 3 here last time out.
As he was only beaten four lengths and the winner was a Grade 1 bumper winner at the 2018 Punchestown Festival, again the form is strong.
Tornado Flyer was third to Faugheen at the highest level last time out too. In what may be an easier race for the grade, that gives I’m A Game Changer claims of breaking his maiden tag over fences.
Firs show odds of 2/1 say he will do just that, and he’s a clear danger to Cut The Mustard.
Sizing Pottsie another with Flyingbolt Novice Chase claims
Jessica Harrington has her team in fine form, so Sizing Pottsie – a winner seven days ago – is quickly turned out on the upgrade here.
The six-year-old is the youngest in this line-up and made all at Fairyhouse in impressive style last Saturday.
Sizing Pottsie was an eye-catching third to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle prospect Captain Guinness on his last hurdles start and then sent chasing.
The Kapgarde gelding unseated his rider at the final fence during Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival.
He appears to have learned plenty from that first chase spin, however, as he stayed on strongly to win eased down last weekend.
Sizing Pottsie was value for plenty more than the 15 lengths winning margin and had the field well strung out in-behind.
Robbie Power again takes the ride and is operating at just less than 20 per cent in the saddle during the last 14 days at the time of writing.
Provided the Flyingbolt Novices’ Chase doesn’t come too soon, Sizing Pottsie could well follow-up and is 9/2 with William Hill to do so.
Off the remainder, Dublin Racing Festival handicap winner Glamorgan Duke is up 5lb for winning by a head at Leopardstown. That looks like harsh treatment.
McManus has a runner in Ten Ten, but his sole chase victory came over further on his second start of the campaign. He struggled when he went down in trip to this distance at Naas last time out.
Yaha Fizz scored a 33/1 upset win at Punchestown last time out, but the Flyingbolt Novice Chase is harder and he won’t be allowed too much rope.
As a 10-year-old, he’s also vulnerable to improvers – as is rank outsider The Ballyboys.
