If none the worse for his run in the Grand National, VANILLIER should prove equal to the task on the evidence of his Cheltenham third, a fine effort considering he almost took himself out of the race at an early stage. He is taken to uphold form with Stealthy Tom and The Goffer who were among his victims over 3m1f here in February. Busselton flopped at Cheltenham but should not be ruled out. Vital Island, the 2023 winner, is still going strong and is respected for his ability to cope with the demands of this course. [Alan Sweetman]
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Won 2m7f Killarney beginners' chase last season; has been mixing hurdling and chasing this season; three runs over hurdles before a return to chasing did the trick when winning a race for women riders at Fairyhouse last week; Derek O'Connor takes the mount.
Second in the 2023 Grand National; has failed to match that form in two subsequent attempts; however, has strong prospects based on his 18l victory over 3m1f at this venue in February, and a fine third at Cheltenham when nearly taking the wrong course early on did not help; finished well for third behind stablemate Stumptown; tailed off in Grand National.
Won a staying handicap on the Flat at Galway last July; no win over jumps since 2022 Kerry National at Listowel (3m, good) but ended 2024 with two respectable runs over the cross-country course at Cheltenham; needs to bounce back after Festival failure.
No further success since winning 2023 Kerry National; pulled up in his repeat bid last September; best run this season when third off his lower hurdles mark at Punchestown in November; limited appeal despite high rating.
Has developed into a consistent pointer and has picked up bank-race experience at Lingstown; autumn form also included two satisfactory runs behind the smart Fountain House; in touch when coming to grief in the latter stages of Tuesday's Ladies Cup; favourite then, this company is more demanding.
Point winner in 2023; was still in with a chance when falling three out at Tinahely on his first run after a long absence; has struggled in two more recent points outings; 28-1 chance when pulled up in Tuesday's Ladies' Cup.
Placed over fences in Britain in 2022; struggled in two attempts over this course last year; weak form during autumn points campaign; 100-1 when pulled up in Tuesday's Ladies' Cup; can be left out of calculations.
Beaten a neck by Vital Island in this race two years ago; won three handicaps in a fine spell in the following months; out of form last year until 33-1 third behind Stumptown here in December; well beaten in third behind Vanillier here in February; kept ticking over with a hurdles run; could be a factor over this trip.
2023 Leopardstown Chase winner; no success since then; remote fifth behind Vanillier here in February; came from off the pace when fourth behind Stumptown at Cheltenham, only 1 1/4l behind Vanillier; has boosted his claims since by running a fine race to take third place in the Topham.
Ladies' Cup winner in 2022; won this race in 2023, failed to find his best form last season but proved he is not a back number with a Lingstown win in March; trainer saddled a superb one-two here on Tuesday; eight-time points winner.
A 95 rated chaser but has run much better than that mark on several occasions in this sphere; beaten just 2 3/4 by Stumptown here in November and ran a fine race when fifth at Cheltenham in December; however, remote sixth behind Vanillier here on latest.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
