17:30 Punchestown

Tuesday 25 April 2017

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

BoyleSports Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 4m 5.6s

Ballycasey²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158

16/1

Has won a pair of Grade Two prizes this year already over further, though dropping down to this minimum trip is far from certain to suit now. Experienced and talented campaigner but a big shock if he proves up to this task.

Form: 513115-

Fox Norton^h¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 169

5/2

Took the step up in trip at Aintree in his stride to record a really stylish success in the Melling Chase over 2m4f having previously gone down fighting in the Queen Mother at Cheltenham. An outstanding contender if three runs at the big spring festivals doesn't undermine him now.

Form: 1-11221

God's Own¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 164

7/1

Hasn't won since flooring Vautour in this contest 12 months ago, wasn't at his best either in the Queen Mother or at Aintree, jumping not always perfect and has work to do with Fox Norton on either run. Connections hoping return to this track will aid him, but has already been beaten Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek this term.

Form: 123355

Realt Mor⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

100/1

Form over 2m simply doesn't compare to the likely principles and would surely prefer a further emphasis on stamina as he ambles towards his teenage years. Ratings give him a monumental task in this line-up.

Form: 123P46

Rock The World^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 152

12/1

First win since 2015 as he left recent form behind to power home in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month. That was a fine performance from a trainer in a rich vein of form but this demands a career-best effort if the market leaders are on song.

Form: 208014-

Sir Valentino^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 158

14/1

Superb effort to be third in the Queen Mother last month having gone off a 33/1 chance. Just appears to be short of top-class jumping fences over 2m and has a job on to reverse Tingle Creek form with Un De Sceaux from earlier in the season.

Form: 481523

The Game Changer^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

40/1

No match for Ballycasey at Fairyhouse early in the month and has since been pulled up in the Irish Grand National. A fair performer in his own right but lacks the class of a few of these and isn't fancied despite marked drop back in distance.

Form: 24P0PP

Un De Sceaux⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167

10/11

An enigmatic performer, he went about winning last month's Ryanair Chase in his own unique way, bounding off with Ruby Walsh in front. He belied fears over his stamina to stay up the Cheltenham hill and win impressively and with this drop to 2m in his favour, he is very much the one to beat in pursuit of a fourth Grade One success of this season.

Form: 2-16111

Forecasts

Un De Sceaux (10/11), Fox Norton (5/2), God's Own (7/1), Rock The World (12/1), Sir Valentino (14/1), Ballycasey (16/1), The Game Changer (40/1), Realt Mor (100/1)

The inimitable UN DE SCEAUX has done plenty to silence his detractors this season with a hat-trick of Grade One wins. Had he run in the Champion Chase last month, there's every chance he might have won given what befell stablemate Douvan, but instead he delivered a virtuoso performance in securing the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. His approach to the game isn't to be found in any textbook, but he has huge talent and can add to his impressive CV here. Fox Norton deservedly leads the dangers after his stellar performance in the Melling Chase for the Tizzard team. He had a tough race at Cheltenham however and despite coasting home on Merseyside, this might find him out. Last year's winner God's Own requires this venue to bring out an upturn in fortunes while Grand Annual winner Rock The World looks best placed of the remaining quartet to hit the frame.