14:05 Limerick (IRE) 28 Dec 2023
Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner €60,000 - 5 ran
led, increased advantage after 1st, slight mistake at 3rd, reduced lead before 6th, travelled well and asserted after 2 out, clear last, eased run-in, impressive
towards rear, improved to 3rd at 6th, took closer order after 7th, closed in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on leader after 2 out, kept on run-in, no chance with winner
rear, 5th at 6th, detached in 4th at 10th, effort 3 out, stayed on approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, kept on without threatening run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake at 3rd, took closer order before 6th, not fluent at 8th, lost place before 2 out where dropped to 4th, weakened before last
soon mid-division, not fluent at 1st, dropped to 4th at 6th, detached in 5th at 10th, weakened after 3 out, completely tailed off
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €1.63 |
| CSF | €2.84 (2, 3) |
| Win | €1.58 (2) |
| Place | €1.10 (2), €1.10 (3) |
| Exacta | €2.20 (2, 3) |
| Trifecta | €7.20 (2, 3, 4) |
Expert Analysis
The usual small but select field for this Grade 1 novice chase, named after the 2019 winner, and it went impressively to one in the same Ricci colours who could plausibly merit being mentioned in the same breath one day, Gaelic Warrior’s time comparing very favourably with the handicap chase that followed.
GAELIC WARRIOR (c151+8 here, 158+ previously) won with lots to spare while achieving smart novice form even as it stands, impressing with his jumping and all in all looking like one who will go a long way in this sphere. He made all, setting a good pace bar steadying things mid-race, and jumping quickly and accurately on the whole (awkward third), challenged on both sides going to 2 out, allowed to drift right then bounding clear without being asked much of a question. It is difficult to be sure what trip will end up suiting him, as he won at 16f and 24f within a couple of months as a hurdler, but this intermediate distance is showing him in a good light over larger obstacles so far.
IL ETAIT TEMPS (c145 here, 149 previously) was a little below the form of his chase debut win at Thurles, not helped by a couple of errors (does not have the physique of a typical chaser), one of them coming after he was short of room when challenging up the inner going to 2 out, one paced thereafter and probably finding the trip far enough on this ground.
INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN (c144 here and previously) took a while to warm to his task but acquitted himself pretty well in the end, improving from the rear after 3 out, edging right between the last 2 but keeping on without being knocked about. He may be one for handicaps further down the line.
AMERICAN MIKE (c125 here, 146 previously) raced close up and looked like running well for a long way but found little (not for the first time) after challenging going to 2 out.
LUCID DREAMS (c0 here, 146 previously) has been on the go for some time now and ran poorly, toiling soon after halfway.
