25th-Nov-2023

This is a fascinating renewal of the Florida Pearl Chase, increased in distance to three miles this year, but I think that Favori De Champdou should be closer to the top of the market than he is.

Gordon Elliott’s horse has a length and a half to find with Affordale Fury on their run in that good beginners’ chase at Galway last month, but there are reasons for believing that he can find it.  He had to make his running that day, he should be happier sitting off a good pace that Flooring Porter should set today.  Also, Affordale Fury was completing a hat-trick in that race for Noel Meade, it may be that he was further forward than Gordon Elliott’s horse was on the day.

Favori De Champdou was a high-class staying novice hurdler last season, he won three on the bounce before Christmas, the third of them the Grade 2 contest at Limerick’s Christmas Festival, in which he beat Letsbeclearaboutit into second place.  He could take a high rank among the staying novice chasers this season.

It’s a deep race, Quilixios is interesting, he is classy, while Sandor Clegane should appreciate the step up in trip, and Flooring Porter is obviously top class, although he might be vulnerable going right-handed over fences.  With the Gordon Elliott horses going so well, Favori De Champdou is the value in my book.

FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU WON (ADV 10/1, SP 11/2)