Coral Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 6m 22.60s

Champagne West⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 166

14/1

An impressive winner of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January, he went to Cheltenham last month as a lively outsider for Gold Cup glory but rather had his limitations exposed in that exalted company. Likes to get on with things and with Coneygree in the line-up, that could be his undoing.

Form: FP-3119

Coneygree¹⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 166

6/1

A brilliant winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015 having made almost every yard of the running, that completed a scintillating novice season. Alas, setbacks mean he's only been seen twice since. Most recently in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November where he unsurprisingly tired behind Cue Card. How much of the 2015 version remains is the key question now.

Form: 1111/1-2

Djakadam⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165

5/2

A toughened performer, many felt he looked like landing last month's Gold Cup until a shuddering error two out handed momentum to Sizing John. He had twice before finished second in that contest and comes here with a similar record. Likeable as he is, he might well be forced to settle for a similar fate again on home soil.

Form: 23-2134

Flemenstar²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: A E Lynch| T: Anthony Curran| OR: 147

100/1

An outstanding chaser over a variety of trips in his prime, the best days are surely behind for him now at 12-years-old. Returned from a year off in a Fairyhouse Grade Two over 2m1f earlier this month and was well beaten off. A huge shock should he find some way of getting involved in the shake-up today.

Form: 41264-3

Outlander⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 164

8/1

Was a long way below his best in the Gold Cup last month, perhaps leaving connections regretting the decision to go straight there fresh after a gutsy win in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He beat Djakadam fair and square in that contest and, with a recent run behind him, no surprise if he confirms that form and hits the frame now.

Form: 22F210

Sizing John⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 168

9/10

A revelation this season as the depths of his stamina have finally been engaged. The further he has gone, the better he has looked. Fully merited last month's Cheltenham success and comes here as the one they all have to beat dropping to 3m. Looks a progressive staying chaser and if his Cotswolds win hasn't bruised him, he can bag another big prize for a trainer in scintillating form.

Form: 3-32111

Forecasts

Sizing John (9/10), Djakadam (5/2), Coneygree (6/1), Outlander (8/1), Champagne West (14/1), Flemenstar (100/1)

A fitting contest in store for this prize, as two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners get set to clash. At his best, Coneygree would be hard to beat but there are grave doubts over his current well-being. He ran well enough on his only previous run this season but ultimately finished a distant second in the Betfair Chase and has been off for five months since. In light of that, last month's Cotswolds king SIZING JOHN is fancied to go ahead and prove his class once more. He's been brilliant since upped to this sort of trip and looks destined to be a fixture for the next few seasons. Djakadam's supporters will rue the jumping error that set him back irreparably at Cheltenham but in Grade One company over these staying trips, he continues to look just shy of top-class. As such, Lexus Chase winner Outlander may be the value alternative for place claims. He was fresh at Cheltenham and is forgiven that run, with his prior efforts in completed starts making him appeal clearly ahead of Champagne West.