Meade looking for Net D'Ecosse to hit target

McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase | 4yo+ | 2m7f | ATR

Noel Meade has just one bullet in the chamber for the €40,000 Mayo National, but it could be a potentially deadly one as the improving Net D’Ecosse fired a warning shot at Down Royal this month.

Successful in a beginners’ chase at Punchestown in December 2015, the Gigginstown-owned hope has not won since and has tended to throw in the odd sketchy jump, but he represents Meade's in-form stable and is racing off a potentially lenient mark of 125.

Willie Mullins, another trainer operating at an impressive strike-rate, is represented by Sambremont and Retour En France.

It wouldn’t be a valuable handicap chase without a strong Gordon Elliott representation, and impressive Punchestown festival scorer Definite Ruby lines up alongside Jetstream Jack, who was a faller when still travelling well at the festival in a 2m4f handicap chase.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Sambremont and Retour En France
Retour En France ran well at Punchestown when she finished fourth and I'm hoping a drop in class will help her. Sambremont’s saddle slipped at Punchestown before Patrick [Mullins] wisely decided to pull him up and I'm just hoping he enjoys a little bit of luck.

Steve Mahon, trainer of Champagne Harmony and Aranhill Chief
If I were a jockey I'd find it hard to get off Champagne Harmony because he's hard-fit, whereas Aranhill Chief lacks a run. I have the Galway Plate in mind for Champagne Harmony and he'd need to run well and get some experience if he is going to end up going down that route. As for Aranhill, I wouldn’t be discounting him.There should be a bit of improvement in him and he'll be aimed at the Connacht National.

Champagne Harmony and Paul Townend wins the beginners' chase at Navan in AprilCredit: Patrick McCann

Michael Hourigan, trainer of Hash Brown
He's fit and well and ready to go. My only worry would be the trip. He travelled really well at Punchestown at the festival, where he looked like he was going to win, but he probably didn’t get home.

Noel Meade, trainer of Net D’Ecosse
He stayed on very well at Down Royal to finish second the last day. He had a wind operation and it has just taken him a little bit of time to come back to himself, but I was very encouraged with him at Down Royal. Our horses are running well.

McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase card and form