Marsh favourite Bob Olinger could start over fences on Saturday

Cheltenham Festival hero Bob Olinger could make his eagerly anticipated debut over fences on Saturday after being entered for a 2m3½f beginners’ chase at Punchestown.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead for Brian Acheson’s Robcour ownership vehicle, Bob Olinger is one of 23 possible contenders for a race that was won by Faugheen in 2019 and last season by Asterion Forlonge.

The six-year-old was among the most exciting novice hurdlers last season with two Grade 1 victories in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle under jockey Rachael Blackmore.

12.00 Saturday: Punchestown beginners' chase card

However, his potential career over fences is already generating considerable excitement with bookmakers making him the general 3-1 favourite for the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with the 2m4f distance likely to be what he sticks to this season.

Speaking in his Racing Post Stable Tour, De Bromhead said: “We've decided to send him over fences and his schooling has gone great. I'd imagine we will stick to two and a half miles, but we'll play it by ear and see how he gets on.”

Among the possible opponents for Bob Olinger are the JP McManus-owned pair, Thedevilscoachman and Coqolino, while Grade 2-winning hurdler Fury Road is the pick of seven potential runners for Gigginstown House Stud.

Marsh Novices' Chase
Betting: 3-1 Bob Olinger, 5 Appreciate It, 8 My Drogo, 10-1 Galopin Des Champs, 12-1 Bravemansgame, Ferny Hollow, 14-1 bar

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