Paul Nolan hoping to beat Willie Mullins hotpot with ex-inmate Meri Devie

2.40 Thurles
Order Of St George Coolmore NH Sires Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (Grade 2) | 5yo+ | 2m4½f

The €55,000 shelled out on Meri Devie at the sales last November on behalf of John Brennan looks money well spent off the back of the mare's chasing debut success for Paul Nolan at Naas earlier this month.

Formerly trained by Willie Mullins, the six-year-old could prove the biggest thorn in the side of Camelia De Cotte, who is chasing her fifth chase win for the champion trainer here.

Meri Devie was bought to go breeding with and the immediate chat after the Naas success was that she had just run her final race.

However, now that the dust has settled, connections have opted to chase valuable black-type, and Nolan reports his relatively new recruit to be in rude health.

He said: "It’s a decent race and Camelia De Cotte looks a worthy favourite.

"Meri Devie was bought as a broodmare down the line but she seemed to take to fences well at Naas.

“She’s come out of that race very well and we’re happy to take our chance here. It would be great to get some black-type with her.”

Camelia De Cotte: won a Grade 3 at Cork on her last startCredit: Alain Barr

Make no mistake, Camelia De Cotte sets the standard. A winner of a Grade 3 Chase at Cork when last seen in December, she will prove a tough nut to crack if running to that level.

Mullins said: "She has to give weight to her rivals but she has already shown she is better over fences than she was over hurdles and has shown herself to be adaptable in terms of ground and distance. Her experience should also be a plus.”

The Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club, named in honour of one of six students who died in 2015 when a balcony collapsed at the University of California in Berkeley, have enjoyed some memorable days out courtesy of the Henry de Bromhead-trained Ellie Mac, and she also needs considering.

Declan Queally's Tell Me Annie, two-time winner Oh Me Oh My, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Grey Waters and Paul Gilligan's Nellie Pledge complete the seven-runner field.

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