This race revolves around last year's leading novice GAELIC WARRIOR. A spectacular winner of last year's Arkle, if he reproduces that level of form he'll be very hard to beat. Found A Fifty finished 8.5l behind the selection at Cheltenham and he has place claims, though the fact he hung right at Navan last time is a concern. Last year's winner Dinoblue could be the biggest danger to the favourite if the tongue tie ekes out some improvement and it will be fascinating to see if the high-class hurdler Marine Nationale can get back on track after a couple of disappointing efforts over fences. [Dave Stephens]
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Six-time chase winner, including three Grade 1s, but hasn't won since landing this race in 2022; only ran once last season, a 6.5l fourth of six behind Fastorslow in the John Durkan; trailed in 28l behind Energumene in the Hilly Way on latest; may have needed that but would have liked to see more; needs a revival.
Last season's Champion Chase winner at Cheltenham; ran a blinder when a neck behind Banbridge in the Irish Champion Chase at Punchestown in April; was worryingly below par for his seasonal reappearance when pulled up at Navan, a race he won in 2022 and 2023; record at this venue isn't great and others look more solid.
5-8 over fences and has never finished out of the first two; has won his last three, a Grade 1 Novice at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April and Grade 2s at Down Royal (19.5f, good to yielding) and Navan (2m, yielding) last month (beat Solness by a neck despite jumping and hanging right); no match for Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle and hard to see him turning that around.
Last season's leading novice; 3-5 over fences including two Grade 1s; had 8.5l to spare when winning the Arkle in fine style at Cheltenham in March; may have been over the top when beaten by Il Etait Temps on his latest start at Punchestown in May; has an excellent record when fresh and he is the one to beat now moving into open company.
4-16 over fences; took the scalp of Blue Lord in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase over this C&D in February 2023; winless since but did get to within 1.5l of Captain Guinness when runner-up in the Champion Chase in March; needs to bounce back from poor reappearance run behind Found A Fifty at Navan; others look more likely.
Unbeaten in bumpers and three starts over hurdles, including the Supreme Novice in 2023; impressive when winning his beginners' at this meeting last year but came up short in the Irish Arkle subsequently; may have needed his comeback at Naas last month but it was a disappointing effort; it is too soon to write him off but he has a bit to prove for now.
1-11 over fences; beaten just 1.25l behind Found A Fifty and Solness at Navan in first-time blinkers (retained) last month at 200/1; that may have flattered him though and he has to back that up in a much hotter race; has a lot to find on ratings and others look more likely.
C&D winner is 4-15 over fences; posted one of his best efforts when narrowly denied behind Found A Fifty at Navan (Senecia third); was beaten 25l behind Jonbon on his first try at Grade 1 level in the Tingle Creek at Sandown (15.5f, soft) earlier this month; needs a big career best to trouble the judge in this company.
Talented performer on his day is 5-14 over fences, including wins in Grade 2 and Grade 3 company; ran a cracker when 2.25l second in Grade 1 novice chase at this meeting in 2022; pulled up in Listed handicap chase at Fairyhouse last month and cheekpieces are now reached for; likely up against it.
5-12 over fences; her latest win came in this race last year; subsequently came up short in Grade 1s here and at Punchestown and in the Grade 2 Mares' chase at Cheltenham; finished 8l behind Energumene in the Hilly Way at Cork and now sports a tongue strap for the first time; she has place claims if she is at her best.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
