Trust Arvico Bleu to put his experience to good use in the Templemore Beginners Chase, which opens today’s seven-race card in Thurles. Arvico Bleu had chased home Duca De Thaix in the €100,000 Dan Moore at Fairyhouse in his previous start while his form in beginners’ events included a creditable second to subsequent dual Grade 1 winner and Arkle favourite Le Richebourg at Listowel back in September. Likely to make the running and a good jumper, Arvico Bleu and Rachael Blackmore should prove hard to catch. The Willie Mullins-trained Karl Der Grosse might prove the solution in the featured Horse & Jockey rated Novice Hurdle. Now a five-year-old, Karl Der Grosse is open to plenty of improvement and, having only his fourth start, might turn the tables on Petit Tartare and outpoint top-weight Getaway John, which must concede weight to his six rivals.

Source: Irish Examiner February 07, 2019 05:48 UTC