2.15 2m. 6f. 50yds. 5 Declared. Savills New Year's Day S'chase (Grade 3) of €32,500.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €19,500.00 2nd - €6,500.00 3rd - €3,250.00 4th - €1,625.00 5th - €975.00
FormscanBy Mark Nunan - STATTLER, unbeaten in three starts over fences, is down a mile in trip compared to his win in the National Hunt Chase but won over 2m5f at Fairyhouse on chase debut. He looks to face a stiff task at the weights against Minella Indo but is younger and doesn't have the scars of battle of that rival. Minella Indo hasn't won since landing the Gold Cup in front of empty stands at Cheltenham in 2020. He was pulled up twice last season but, on the flip side, ran well when second to Conflated at Leopardstown and when runner-up to stablemate A Plus Tard when trying to defend his Gold Cup crown. He won first time out around a tight track at Wexford a couple of years ago and is well clear on ratings. Third in the Galway Plate and a Grade 3 winner at Cork in November, El Barra was outclassed in the Drinmore but may be next best ahead of the third Mullins runner Cilaos Emery.%0A
A steeplechase for five years old and upwardsWeights - 5-y-o 10st 11lbs 6-y-o and up 11st Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - to count from 1st July, 2021 Winner of two steeplechases 3lb extra Of three steeplechases or a Grade 3 steeplechase 6lb extra Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 8lb extra Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 12lb extra