Forget The Past On Trial For Cheltenham At Fairyhouse

Fresh from his fine victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday, the Michael O?Brien trained Forget The Past is one of 17 entries for the Osmosis Ireland Limited Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 2) at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Quoted at around 33/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month, another good performance on Saturday could see his odds tumble for the big race on March 17th and a current rating of 155 suggests that he should take plenty of beating in Saturday?s contest. Winner of the race in 2003, the Ted Walsh trained Rince Ri is now in the veteran stage but can make his presence felt while Paul Nolan?s Kymandjen, a disappointment when fancied for last month?s Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, will be bidding to bounce back from that effort. The race was won last year by the Willie Mullins trained Hedgehunter who went on to land the English Grand National and Edward Mitchell?s Garvivonnian, one of our leading fancies for this year?s Aintree spectacular, is also among the field while Marcus Du Berlais, Prince Of Tara and Cane Brake are other notable entrants.

On the same card the Osmosis Ireland Limited Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) has attraced 13 entries and should be a competitive affair. The Willie Mullins trained Clear Riposte landed a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown on St Stephen?s Day before disappointing at Punchestown last time and she is sure to be one of the principals with the likes of Artist?s Muse, First Row and Widely Accepted likely to figure prominently.

Dermot Weld?s Bobs Pride is an interesting entry as this one was well supported in the betting market for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham before he finished fifth at Leopardstown on his hurdling debut and he has plenty to prove now in order to justify the trip to Cheltenham.