Top three in last season's Arkle betting collide in cracking Poplar Square Chase

1.02 Naas
Poplar Square Chase (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

It's hard to envisage a better second-season chase with only four runners this year than the Grade 2 Poplar Square at Naas, with the top three in the betting for the 2020 Arkle locking horns again in an intriguing affair.

The top-notch trio of Notebook, Fakir D'oudairies and Cash Back were to the fore in Grade 1 novice chases over the minimum distance last term and each start their winter campaigns here, with the last-named Willie Mullins-trained performer getting 8lb from rivals rated 2lb and 4lb superior to him.

Notebook (5) and Cash Back finished first and second in this year's ERSG Arkle Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

This could prove a good opportunity for Cash Back, who fell at the second-last in the Arkle after racing too freely, but the potential fly in the ointment for last season's Irish Arkle runner-up could be Djingle.

The useful John Queally-trained seven-year-old looks out of his depth on ratings in such a hot race, but the exuberant front-runner is unlikely to give Cash Back any peace on the lead.

Fakir D'oudairies will love the testing ground and is the highest rated in the line-up with a mark of 160 and also fared best of the trio when second in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

He's previously given the impression that he could be at his best over mid-range trips as a senior chaser.

Notebook didn't give his true running at the festival and is on a retrieval mission of sorts but can't be overlooked if sharp enough for his return, although he's entitled to need his first run since March as a physically imposing sort.

Arkle heroine Put The Kettle On has done the form of that top-level event no harm, taking advantage of Defi Du Seuil's disappointing effort in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last week.

Fakir D'oudairies: enjoyed an excellent season over fences last termCredit: Patrick McCann

This will be an early indicator as to whether one of last season's novices has taken a significant step forward and can challenge those at two-mile chasing's top table.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Fakir D'Oudairies
He's in good form and we think that the track and the ground should suit. He's penalised at the weights but we're looking forward to getting him started off. No decision has been made yet but I'd imagine that as the season goes on there's a chance that he could step up in trip.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Notebook
He is ready to start back and seems to be in good form. It will be difficult to give Cash Back, a horse we only just beat at Leopardstown, the weight. But we're happy with him and he's ready to start.

John Queally, trainer of Djingle
He looks as though he's inferior to the other three but he goes there fit and well. The two and a half miles at Limerick probably stretched him last time so the drop in trip should suit.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Cash Back
The conditions of the race suit him and we're hoping for the best.

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