Chanceawetmorning can take the step up in the Novice Chase at Punchestown
Chanceawetmorning & Jack Kennedy win the Christy 'Frosty' Callaghan Memorial Steeplechase. Pic: Healy Racing.
Chanceawetmorning can take the step up to Grade Three company in his stride by winning the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase at Punchestown on Wednesday.
A three-time winner over hurdles, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old would have made a winning start to life over fences at Kilbeggan early last month but for a bad mistake and a heavy fall at the final obstacle.
However, he proved himself none the worse for that mishap when running out a decisive five-length winner at Sligo a fortnight ago.
With that confidence-boosting success behind him, Chanceawetmorning may be able to get the better of Bunting, a horse who made a winning chasing debut when easily getting the better of two rivals at Ballinrobe in August.
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Last time out, on the Flat, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old again ran well to finish seventh in the Irish Cesarewitch so he’s clearly on decent terms with himself but Chanceawetmorning has the edge on chasing experience and that may prove decisive.
The Matchbook Betting Exchange Chase, the other Grade Three on the card, looks a terrific opportunity for Gorgeous Tom to end a losing streak that stretches back to November 2024.
To be fair to the Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old, he has run some races in defeat since that Cork Grade Three chase success, most recently when a close third to King Alexander in the Galway Plate in July.
If Gorgeous Tom runs anywhere near that level this time, he should be tough to beat.
It could be a wonderful Wednesday for De Bromhead as The Dotski looks the one to beat in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Mares Handicap Hurdle while Frisco Lad has leading claims in the bumper.
Fifth on debut at Fairyhouse last February before finishing fourth at Navan later that month, The Dotski returned to action at Ballinrobe last month where she ran out a decisive winner.
With further improvement likely, the Getaway mare ticks plenty of boxes.
Like The Dotski, Frisco Lad will make the journey to Punchestown on the back of a win last time out, in his case a debut success at Limerick at the start of July.
The Walk In The Park gelding made all on that occasion and, while he will likely face a stiffer test this time, he can rise to the challenge.
1.35 Green Heritage
2.10 Apache Peak
2.45 The Dotski (NB)
3.20 Elusive Ogie
3.55 Chanceawetmorning (Nap)
4.30 Gorgeous Tom
5.07 Harbour Highway
5.40 Frisco Lad
1.35 Lunar Stride
2.10 Thinkitdontjinxit
2.45 Fraher Field
3.20 Wonderful Everyday
3.55 Bunting
4.30 Croke Park
5.07 Western Model
5.40 Hutton Star.
