24th-Nov-2019

I am backing Chris’s Dream now for tomorrow’s Troytown Chase at Navan.

Henry de Bromhead’s horse was an exciting staying novice hurdler two seasons ago, and he was an exciting staying novice chaser last season.  He was seriously impressive in winning a Grade 3 novices’ hurdle at Clonmel in February 2018 on his first run for de Bromhead, and he was impressive in winning a beginners’ chase at Navan on his debut last season.

He was beaten next time in a Grade 3 novice chase at Naas over three miles, but he was beaten by the sadly subsequently ill-fated Ballyward that day, who could have been top class, and he had the talented and returning Champagne Classic back in third.  He confirmed that form with Champagne Classic next time in the Grade 2 Ten Up Chase back at Navan, staying on well in the closing stages to get home by a half a length, with subsequent Kim Muir winner Any Second Now back in third.

His season tapered off a little after that, but he appears to be at his best in the early part of the season, so this is the time to catch him.  He goes well fresh.  Also, he goes well at Navan, he is two for two there.

He will have plenty of weight on his back, 11st 7lb, but he is a strong chasing type who is built to carry weight.  More importantly, he has the potential to go beyond the rating of 146 off which he will race.  He is only seven and he has raced just five times over fences.  And he will have Robbie Power for company.

Also, highweights can do well in the Troytown Chase.  Mala Beach won it under 11st 9lb, Empire Of Dirt won it under 11st 8lb, Tofino Bay won it under 11st 4lb.

It is a deep race.  Portmore Lough is progressive and Discorama is classy and Ravenhill ran a massive race last time in the Kerry National and Oscar Knight could out-run big odds.  But Chris’s Dream is the bet.

CHRIS’S DREAM WON (ADV 9/1, SP 9/2)