Henry de Bromhead hoping Identity Thief can get his season back on track in Sunday’s Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan
After making a good impression on his first couple of starts, Henry de Bromhead's novice has failed to impress on his last two starts over fences
IDENTITY THIEF is looking to get his season back on track in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan on Sunday.
Henry De Bromhead's Grade 1 winner had looked the real deal over fences following his first two starts, but has disappointed on his last two outings.
The seven-year-old bids to reignite his season in this Grade 3 contest, with Gigginstown also represented by Gordon Elliott's Ball D'Arc.
De Bromhead said: "Identity Thief lost his confidence at Leopardstown over Christmas - when he was pulled up behind Min - and his jumping was very disappointing. Confidence is a very important factor, particularly when it comes to jumping fences.
"He's on a recovery mission on Sunday, but has been schooling well at home so we're hopeful to get him back on track."
Alan Fleming saddles Tully East and Enda Bolger's Ballyoisin completes the field.
The JP McManus-owned Ballyoisin missed all of 2016 through injury, but won last time out at Fairyhouse.
The task facing Ballyoisin against the likes of Identity Thief is not lost on Bolger, who said: "He jumped well at Fairyhouse and came out of it well. We're looking forward to it and we think he's a shade better going left-handed as well, which is a nice thing to know.
"He's stepping up again now from his beginners chase, so he'll have to up his game again, but I think the two miles and one furlong will be up his alley, as will going left-handed - he won over hurdles at Navan - so that's two things in his favour and we're very happy with him."
Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, added: "He won nicely the last time, but he'll do well to beat the two good horses in it (Identity Thief and Ball D'Arc).
"He's up against it. Let's hope he jumps good all the way round and comes back safe and sound."
Jockey Roger Loughran goes in search of his second Grade 2 win of the season in the Ten Up Chase, where he rides Acapella Bourgeois for Sandra Hughes.
Loughran made headlines with his Grade 2 win on Peregrine Run at Cheltenham's Open Meeting in November, a first win for the rider at the track, and this weekend bids to follow up Acapella Bourgeois' recent beginners' chase win.
The jockey said: "I was impressed with him at Navan, he did it well and did it the hard way from the front. I'm just looking forward to running over three miles, I won't have to do the donkey work. I can sit upsides or even get a lead. He's fresh and well and came out of the race well.
"He's there with a chance. He is a soft ground horse, but he's not very ground dependent, it's the trip he wants really, I think. He'd handle nice ground going three miles.
"All things being equal he'll have his chance, if he runs his race we'll see where we go from then."
Acapella Bourgeois faces a stiff task against eight rivals, chief of which is top weight and recent Grade Three Naas winner Anibale Fly.
The Tony Martin-trained gelding was previously pulled up on unsuitably fast ground at Kempton over Christmas, but will have conditions very much to his liking, despite giving away 3lb to each of his rivals.
Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: "He's in good form, but it's a good race.
"We think it was probably just the ground at Kempton that was too quick for him when he disappointed there.
"Tony is happy with him and hopefully he'll give a good account of himself."
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott each field two runners with Bellow Mome and Haymount running for Mullins, and Jetstream Jack and Stone Hard representing his trainers' title rival.
McManus can also call on the Joseph O'Brien-trained Edwulf, a winner at Punchestown last month.
Berry said: "He has a couple of entries at Cheltenham (four-mile National Hunt Chase and RSA). We'll see how he gets on when he runs on Sunday."
And it could be a good day for JP McManus as he also owns Sutton Place who lines up in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle.
Sutton Place returned to action with a thoroughly impressive Grade 3 win at Naas last month.
That success prompted the handicapper to raise his rating to 158 and with trainer Gordon Elliott admitting he was eyeing a long-term chase strategy, it may not be too long before he embarks on what could be a lucrative chasing career.
Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: "He won very nicely the last day at Naas. He's come out of the race well. Gordon is very happy with him, so we're hoping for another good run.
"He looks a nice chasing type down the road and hopefully he'll be good enough to get by on Sunday.
"He won't be going to Cheltenham. We haven't looked further than Sunday really. There's nothing much to suit him until Easter."
In opposition to Sutton Place are eight rivals, three of which, De Plotting Shed, Dedigout and Taglietelle, are stablemates.
Thomas Hobson shares Sutton Place's big weight burden of 11st 8lb and his trainer Willie Mullins also sends out the Ruby Walsh-partnered Renneti, beaten last time out by returning Champion Hurdler Jezki.
Trainer Jessica Harrington, fresh from her Irish Gold Cup win last weekend with Sizing John, runs Supasundae and Ttebbob, who both gave vain chase to Sutton Place at Navan.
The line-up is completed by the Mouse Morris-trained Milsean, who is bidding to recapture his old sparkle for Gigginstown.
