Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase

In what promises to be a fascinating renewal of the prestigious Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday, my advice is to back Our Ben, who looks too good to miss at 7/2 with VCBet The reason for this generous price is due to the presence of Southern Vic, who has impressed in recording facile victories the last twice, including when making all and jumping like a stag en route to beating Church Island 12 lengths at Naas last month. However, both of those victories were achieved over three miles on testing going, and I just wander whether he will have the pace to cope with Our Ben over this 2m 5f trip. Indeed, Ted Walsh's Southern Vic was readily outpaced by Father Matt over 2m 4f at Navan in December, a defeat which emphasised the fact that stamina is his strongest suit. In contrast, Our Ben, who was a cracking third behind No Refuge and Racing Demon in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year, possesses plenty of pace. He demonstrated this when staying on well to beat Lissbonney Project in a decent beginners' chase over 2m 1f at Fairyhouse on January 22. That trip was probably on the sharp side for him, and the distance of Sunday's race looks sure to be perfect for the seven-year-old. Father Matt was brushed aside by Nickname in the Grade 2 Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase over this course and distance last time and, on the balance of his form, looks vulnerable to an improving type like Our Ben. A similar remark applies to both Church Island and the consistent Kill Devil Hill, who beat Father Matt by a neck in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December, before finding the company too hot when a well-beaten third behind Missed That and Wild Passion in the over 2m 1f at this track last time.