Elliott has high hopes Hardline can prove tough nut for Cadmium to crack

WhatOddsPaddy? Chase (Grade 3) | 2m | 5yo+ | RTV

Gordon Elliott is hopeful Hardline can bounce back from a below-par Thurles run to land the opening Grade 3 chase at Naas on Sunday when he will be bidding to deny Cadmium back-to-back wins in the race.

The eight-year-old provided Keith Donoghue with a first Grade 1 win at Limerick in December 2018 but hasn't got his head in front since, including when disappointing as the 100-30 favourite in last year's Racing Post Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Gigginstown-owned performer looked set for a big campaign when second to Min in the John Durkan at Punchestown in December but fell at Leopardstown over Christmas and proved
underwhelming in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase since.

Elliott said: "He was disappointing last time but if he's back to his best, this looks to be a winnable race. Hopefully he can bounce back."

Ornua was a smart winner of the Grade 1 Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase last AprilCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hardline isn't the only Grade 1 winner in the line-up, as Henry de Bromhead, who has won four of the last seven runnings of the race, sends Maghull Novices' Chase winner Ornua into battle.

The Knockeen handler said: "He ran well over the course and distance earlier this season and he seems in good form at home, so we're hoping for a good run."

Topham Chase hero Cadmium has failed to perform at his best in two starts this season but jockey Paul Townend feels last year's winner could have a big say now back over the minimum distance.

The champion jockey said in his Ladbrokes blog: "He was too free in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last time out. This is a track he likes, he jumps very well and it’ll be a proper gallop with Ornua in there as well.

"He won the race last year and I think it suits him. I hope he can go very close."

Castlegrace Paddy is already a winner at Grade 2 levelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Pat Fahy's Castlegrace Paddy is a capable operator at this level and holds Cheltenham Festival entries in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and Grand Annual Handicap Chase.

"The ground will be more in his favour here than last time, he didn't get a chance to get his breath back on the ground at Leopardstown," said Fahy. "Hopefully this should be a little bit easier for him and he seems in great form, so we'll see how he gets on."

Connections of last season's Racing Post Arkle third Articulum will be keen to see their ten-year-old post a clear round after failing to complete on his last three starts.

"It's not as though he's been making loads of mistakes, it's just been one error in a race setting him back," said trainer Terence O'Brien, who could be targeting at the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate for his classy performer if he runs with promise here.

Articulum is a previous course-and-distance winner at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann

"We've been jumping him over poles at home and I couldn't be happier with him. He has it to prove but he's a course-and-distance winner and should go well if getting a clear round."

The field is completed by last season's Kim Muir winner Any Second Now, who has been holding his form well this season but may find the trip on the sharp side.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app