Gordon Elliott hoping Duca De Thaix will be on a going day

EasyFix Handicap Chase (Grade B) | 2m½f, 4yo+ | RTV

Last year's winner Duca De Thaix heads a team of three for Gordon Elliott in this six-runner renewal, but he will need to leave a moderate effort at Naas last time behind to strike again.

The six-year-old, whose two chase wins have been achieved at Fairyhouse, finished a distant last in a four-runner Grade 3 event won by Cilaos Emery three weeks ago.

Elliott, who is also represented by Avenir D'Une Vie and Doctor Phoenix in the €50,000 event, said: "Duca De Thaix is very hot and cold and he was cold last time. Sean O'Keeffe is claiming 5lb off him and if he's on a going day he could go close.

"He's shown that he likes Fairyhouse and seems in good order."

Doctor Phoenix's form this season has been very disappointing and the 11-year-old is without a win since scoring at Naas in February 2018, while Avenir D'Une Vie, formerly trained by Henry de Bromhead and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, makes his stable debut having been bought for £9,000 in September.

Elliott said: "It's difficult to make a case for Doctor Phoenix whose recent form is a long way off his best but we're letting him take his chance.

"Avenir D'Une Vie is having his first run for us and has been working well. He's in good order and has his chance."

De Bromhead and Gigginstown are represented by Mind's Eye, the mount of Rachael Blackmore. A winner at Wexford last season, Mind's Eye finished second to the Elliott-trained Dinons on his reappearance at Limerick last month.

Kildorrery, ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, was 42 lengths in front of Duca De Thaix at Naas last time and represents Ted Walsh.

Walsh said: "He's in good order and ran well at Naas. If he can reproduce that sort of form he'll have a good chance off his low weight."

Completing the line-up is the Tony Martin-trained 11-year-old Noble Emperor, who was returning from a three-and-a-half-year absence when running over hurdles at Naas three weeks ago.

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