Chancol handed Craddockstown test

Noel Meade is looking forward to seeing impressive course and distance winner Chancol test the water in Graded company in Sunday's Madigans Bar Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.

The winner of a Navan bumper last season before ending his campaign with a win over hurdles at Punchestown, the JP McManus-owned five-year-old made every yard of the running on his chasing debut at the County Kildare circuit last month.

He undoubtedly has more on his plate in this weekend's Grade Two contest and Meade is keen to see if his charge is up to competing at this level.

"He was good at the track the last day and we'll see how he get on," said the trainer.

"It's a very good race, I'm happy with him and I don't think the ground should bother him, so fingers crossed."

A six-strong field is headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Alechi Inois, who since making a winning debut over fences at Tramore at the end of May has recorded five consecutive victories.

The champion trainer also runs Un Beau Roman, who has won over fences but has also fallen twice in four starts.

"Alelchi Inois has had a great season, but all his wins have been on far better ground. While the ground is a concern, he is in good form and should run well," Mullins said on his website www.wpmullins.com.

"This is not Un Beau Roman's favoured ground and his form is probably not good enough against this opposition."

Henry de Bromhead saddles Sizing Granite, who impressed in the jumping department when beating long odds-on favourite Lieutenant Colonel on his fencing bow at Naas a fortnight ago.

He also saddles Enjoy Responsibly, who looks to have his work cut out and having been well beaten in similar races the last twice.

De Bromhead said: "Sizing Granite won well in Naas the other day. He seemed to do it nicely and he took to the fences well.

"This is obviously a step up, but we'll find out a bit more about him and see how we get on in this sort of grade.

"He won his maiden hurdle in winter ground, so conditions shouldn't bother him.

"Enjoy Responsibly won his beginners' chase at Limerick during the summer and we'll see how he goes in this company."

Enjoy Responsibly is one of two runners for leading owners Gigginstown House Stud, with Eoin Griffin's Azorian looking to build on a promising third behind The Tullow Tank on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse last week.