DUTY BOUND TO SUCCEED

Elliott’s Jury gets my verdict in Chase

JURY DUTY may be capable of successfully conceding weight to his four rivals in the Grade 3 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase in Naas tomorrow.

Trained by Gordon Elliott-trained, he is a proven stayer, which will prove a major asset in testing ground over three miles.

And his overall chase form entitles him to the vote, despite the task of conceding 8lb to the other chase winners in the field, stable-companion

and

An accomplished hurdler (he finished third to Presenting Percy in the Pertempe Final at Cheltenham), Jury Duty hasn’t finished out of the first two in his four starts over fences, scoring on his fencing debut in Limerick and landing the Grade 2 Florida Pearl at Punchestown, when beating subsequent Grade 1 winner Shattered Love and Presenting Percy.

Between those wins, he was firmly put in his place by Bamako Moriviere in a Grade 3 in Cork, his only disappointment over the bigger obstacles.

And, last time, he lost little in defeat when outpointed by Shattered Love in the Grade 1 three-miler at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.

A dour stayer, Jury Duty’s credentials look rock-solid. And I expect him to prove too strong for the Mullins hope Livelovelaugh, which beat Drumconner Lad on his second chase start at Fairyhouse.

The selection’s stable-companion Mossback won his beginners at this venue before finishing fourth to Invitation

Only in Punchestown while

Moulin a Vent (blinkered for the first time tomorrow) is well held by the selection on Leopardstown form, but slammed Theystes winner

Monbeg Notorious when opening his chase account.

The other Grade 3 on tomorrow’s card, the Limestone

Lad Hurdle, will feature the Irish debut of Champion Hurdle entry representing Gigginstown and Henry de Bromhead, inset. But, off the track since June 2016, he might be best watched. Gigginstown might have better prospects with Elliott’s conqueror of Us And Them in a Grade 3 at Limerick over Christmas.

Jessica Harrington’s mare must always be respected. But I’ll take a chance with 142-rated winner of his only start in France (a hurdle at Compiegne) and a promising third to the useful Ex Patriot on his Irish debut in Limerick, when looking as if he’d improve from the run.

The Mullins-trained a beaten favourite in his two starts, should relish the step-up in trip in the bumper while French import is preferred to in the opening, fouryear-old maiden hurdle.

But a beaten favourite on his hurdle bow at Leopardstown, might not cope with hurdling debutant representing inform Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power, which boasts rock-solid bumper form.