4.00 Clonmel: the one race you do not want to miss on Thursday

4.00 Clonmel
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase | 3m | 5yo+| RTV

Why is it interesting?

Demi Plie was easy winner of a handicap chase over this trip under Aine O'Connor at the Listowel festival last month. She now reverts to novice company in a race named after star chaser Captain Christy, winner of the 1974 Cheltenham Gold Cup as well as back-to-back King George VI Chases in 1974 and 1975.

O'Connor renews her partnership with the Padraig Roche-trained mare, whose owner JP McManus is also represented by Minella Times who bids for a first win over fences.

Denis Hogan combines the roles of trainer and jockey with Ozzie's Way, who won on chasing debut at Ballinrobe in August. Generator City, set to be partnered by 7lb claimer Paul Cawley, also hails from Hogan's yard but was over 50 lengths behind Ozzie's Way on what was also his first chase start.

What do the stats say?

Demi Plie is two from four over fences while the Matthew Smith-trained Lord Schnapps ran well when second on chasing debut at Sligo eight days ago. Robbie Power teams up with the six-year-old for the first time.

Make My Heart Fly, a third-fence faller at Sligo last time, has won more races than any of her rivals. A four-time winner over hurdles, the Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old got off the mark over fences when scoring at Kilbeggan in early September.

The fourth chase winner in the line-up is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Biddy The Boss, who has proved disappointing since winning over at Down Royal in March.

What do the trainers say?

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Demi Plie and Minella Times
Demi Plie jumped great for Aine and won well at Listowel. She's in good form and will like the ground. Minella Times has been running fine and is probably dropping a bit in grade. We're hoping he runs a good race

Matthew Smith, trainer of Lord Schnapps
He ran well when second at Sligo and is in good shape.The step up to three miles should suit him but he wouldn't want the ground to get too testing.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Biddy The Boss
Her last few runs have been disappointing so it's hard to know what to make of her chance. But she's in good form and we're just hoping she runs better this time.

What do our tipsters say?

Minella Times has enough experience under his belt over fences to go and win a race of this nature. Lord Schnapps is respected after a better display at Sligo, while Ozzie's Way did nothing wrong when winning on his chasing debut at Ballinrobe and should be thereabouts. Of the remainder, Demi Plie has been in rare form of late but this looks a tough enough task.
Brian Sheerin

Racing Post backs responsible gambling. 18+ begambleaware.org