MANDINGO CHIEF is the form pick to win this chase with both Newton Bridge and Olay Olay worth noting. The selection was a winner over course and distance in April and followed up with an eye catching second at the same venue last time out. He clearly loves it round here and is sure to go close once again. Newton Bridge has been competing in better races than this of late but he has failed to trouble the judge since winning back to back races at Down Royal and Downpatrick last May. He has slipped down the weights since then but his recent form does not look good enough. Olay Olay is another to have slipped down the weights and ran well enough on his seasonal reappearance to finish fourth at Huntington and should strip fitter this time around. Mandingo Chief has been in good form of late and sets the standard in a small field.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, mistake 3rd, pushed along 5th, behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Roulez Cool (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Newton Bridge (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Never a factor, 21st of 25, well behind Mourne Rambler (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, behind when left remote 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 8, 38l behind Our Jim (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Manbow (IRE) 7-4fav (10-7) Held up in touch, soon pushed along, weakened 12th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Mandingo Chief (10-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr, 4 ran.
Olay Olay (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, went third 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 43l behind Toni Alcala (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Divex (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place when blundered 11th, no danger after, 8th of 11, well behind Woody Valentine (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
