PAT FAHY has, after some hesitation, decided to ask his novice chaser, Dun Belle, to take on vastly more experienced rivals in the Burger King Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran this afternoon.

This means that the eight year old, who will be contesting her first handicap chase, will be carrying 5 lb more than her proper handicap mark and will also be racing over three miles for the first time. Yet such has been the progress of this former point to point winner since her first run over fences at Wexford at the end of October that she might just be up to the challenge.

The winner of the last four of her six chases, Dun Belle has jumped soundly during all those races and gives the impression that today's distance of three miles will be an advantage. Of course, it is possible that being pitched against these experienced, rivals will expose some flaws in her make up.

The top weight, Couldn't Be Better, is a formidable challenger. Third in last year's Gold Cup to Imperial Call and Rough Quest, and successful in the 1995 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, the Charlie Brooks runner is a class performer and at his best would almost certainly win. He has, however, not raced since this year's Hennessy in November and has been known to burst blood vessels.

New Co is the probable favourite after his game victory in the Paddy Power Handicap chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, and he should again account for the fourth horse, Back Bar, whose stable is also represented by Fissure Seal, who wears blinkers for the first time, as does The Crazy Bishop.

If Shaagarry had the benefit of a recent outing, he would probably have been the selection. The winner of three of his four starts last year, he has been absent since winning at the Punchestown Festival and so is reluctantly passed over. Instead, the verdict is Dun Belle to win from New Co and Couldn't Be Better.

Boro Bow is napped to open her account over hurdles at the second attempt by beating Midnight Jazz, in the Burger King Jervis St Peter McCreery, Memorial Hurdle.