Craddockstown Novice Chase Tips & Betting Preview

A good race for the grade and with one of the likely market principles for the Arkle on show, hopes will be high he can produce a good performance here.

IN SUMMARY: Identity Thief was one of the top hurdlers last year winning the Fighting Fifth and finishing runner up on two occasions in Grade 1s behind Nicholls Canyon and then Vroum Vroum Mag at Punchestown. He was hugely impressive on his first start over fences last month and will be targeted at the Arkle come spring. He looks to have any amount of improvement in him and should take this with a minimum amount of fuss. Should he fail to sparkle, Ball D’Arc can pick up the pieces after putting in a good performance to win at Wexford last time out.

1 Attribution – Second on his seasonal debut in October at Fairyhouse finishing four lengths behind stablemate Ordinary World. Won a decent little Beginner’s Chase at Naas over two miles next time out, well-backed into favourite that day. Useful hurdler on his day, but will need a career-best to trouble either of his stablemates today.

2 Ball D’Arc – Unseated rider at Fairyhouse in a race won by nice horse from Henry De Bromhead’s yard (Attribution second) back in October and followed that mishap with a decent run in a Grade 3 behind Three Stars (Henry De Bromhead) next time out. Won readily at Wexford 20 days ago scoring by three lengths. Will need to be at his very best to trouble likely favourite but should put up a bold show.

3 Bentelimar – Won a Listed event nicely on Heavy ground over two miles back in February 2015 and is a useful hurdler on his day having finished first or placed in roughly 50% of 21 runs. Drops back down in trip for Chase debut today and hard to fancy in this company.

4 Identity Thief – Top hurdler last year and was impressive winning the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, following that up with good runs in both the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown and then the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April finishing one and a quarter lengths behind Vroum Vroum Mag. Has the ability to become one of the stars of this division and will be very hard to beat.

5 Ordinary World – Won nicely at Fairyhouse from stablemate Attribution on seasonal debut and first start over fences. That was similar form to what he achieved over hurdles. Has scope for progress, but will struggle to get close to stablemate Identity Thief today.