Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 4.00s

Attribution¹¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

25/1

Ran well over this sort of trip at Limerick over Christmas when last spotted, been running well in five chase starts and may have more to come though this is toughest assignment by some distance to date.

Form: 57-2131

Baily Cloud^p,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: M F Morris| OR: 140

66/1

Limitations have been exposed against top horses of late, fell in a race won by Yorkhill at Cheltenham last month and would do well to run into a place in this.

Form: 354UF4

Ball D'Arc¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 155

5/1

On excellent terms with himself this season, winning three on the spin before narrow defeat in Grade Two Normans Grove Chase latest over a trip shorter than ideal. Respected here.

Form: 311123

Road To Respect³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: N Meade| OR: 153

7/2

Excellent winner of a Cheltenham handicap over this trip last month, could still be on the upgrade as a chaser after six starts and worthy of a crack at this prize.

Form: 135-014

Some Plan^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 146

20/1

Finished ahead of Road To Respect at Naas in January, though this longer trip may not play into his hands to confirm that form. Outclassed in the Arkle at Cheltenham latest.

Form: 404-01F

Yorkhill³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164

4/7

Showcased his talents at Cheltenham winning the JLT over this trip to maintain unbeaten chasing record. Now without his quirks and doesn't tend to pulverise the opposition but holds rock-solid claims again now.

Form: 11111-4

Non-Runners

Anibale Fly⁵⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: A J Martin J: B J Geraghty

Forecasts

Yorkhill (4/7), Road To Respect (7/2), Ball D'Arc (5/1), Anibale Fly (6/1), Some Plan (20/1), Attribution (25/1), Baily Cloud (66/1)

He isn't the most straightforward but YORKHILL is laden with talent and it is clear that both trainer and jockey feel he is destined for the very top in this game. He was given a super ride by Walsh at Cheltenham and, while he didn't win by far, was the best horse in the race by a distance. This race is less demanding and it will be something of a disappointment if his unblemished chasing record is dented. Road To Respect was an excellent handicap scorer in the Cotswolds and merits a tilt at Grade One honours now while Ball D'arc is also likely to run a fine race stepping back up to this trip. Anibale Fly has to bounce back from a poor effort at Navan but is not discarded.