Irish star has bit to prove given quick ground on comeback

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1.15 Leopardstown
SP forecast Evens

Just short of top class at 2m and 3m over hurdles but developed into high-class novice chaser last term, winning all five starts, the last four of them in Grade 1s, including the Racing Post Arkle. Made an early mistake en route to winning at Cheltenham but otherwise foot-perfect and strolled home by 14 lengths, although race had been set up for him by main rivals taking each other on. Return at Naas last month was a bitter disappointment, as he didn’t jump that well and looked beaten when falling at the last. Reported to have suffered an overreach during the race, though, and easy to forgive him one bad run. This is not necessarily a cakewalk, though, as two closest rivals are officially rated only 2lb and 4lb off him. Good ground a minor question mark as yet to win a race on anything faster than yielding, although all four defeats came over hurdles and we’ve established he’s a better chaser.

Conclusion Worth forgiving last time, but on this ground I’m still going to take a chance on Ballyoisin.