Key questions as Battleoverdoyen bids to maintain unbeaten chase record

Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE2

Is Battleoverdoyen the real deal?

Some were more impressed than others by Battleoverdoyen's victory over Any Second Now in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Chase at Punchestown last month, but trainer Gordon Elliott insists any criticism aimed at his unbeaten novice chaser is unwarranted.

Battleoverdoyen was made to work to get the better of his experienced rival, eventually pulling five lengths clear on the Punchestown run-in, which in Elliott’s eyes was a good performance from a horse so inexperienced.

Elliott has confidence in his horse’s ability, but if there’s one niggling doubt in his mind, it’s the prospect of the ground drying out.

Battleoverdoyen: winner of two races this year for Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann

The trainer, who is also represented by Champagne Classic, said: “Battleoverdoyen and Champagne Classic are big, staying horses and I’m very happy with them."

Elliott added: “I wouldn’t want to see the ground drying out too much for Battleoverdoyen. His win in the Florida Pearl was effectively the first time he had to get racing over fences.

"There’s a big difference between making all to jump around Galway and taking on a 150-rated chaser [Any Second Now] around Punchestown, and I was very happy with the way he came through that. Hopefully he can improve again.

"Champagne Classic isn’t a bad horse either and he’s entitled to take his chance."

Can Lord Schnitzel jump forward?

Matthew Smith has a history of pulling rabbits out of a hat but even he would admit that Lord Schnitzel is up against it.

The man best known for turning around the fortunes of three-time Galway festival hero One Cool Poet is hoping for a place from Lord Schnitzel, who has over three lengths to find with Fairyhouse conqueror Carefully Selected.

Lord Schnitzel (right): beaten by Carefully Selected last timeCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

Smith said: “Ideally we would have gotten a run into him at Thurles last week, but that meeting was called off.

"He got close enough to Carefully Selected when they met at Fairyhouse and, while he's still a maiden over hurdles and fences, I think he's entitled to take his chance. It looks a hot race but we'd be happy if he finished in the frame.”

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