PWC Champion Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 7.00s

A Toi Phil^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| BF| D

6/1

Useful chaser with four wins from 11 starts, no match for Balko Des Flos at Galway last month but could find this trip more suitable and doesn't tend to run many bad races.

Form: 5124-45

Ballycasey²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| BF| CD

11/2

Long way behind Balko Des Flos in the Galway Plate but entitled to be much close on these terms, very smart chaser who won this race 12 month ago and recently went well over hurdles at Listowel. Champion jockey prefers Shaneshill.

Form: 115-102

Balko Des Flos⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| D

11/8

Galway Plate winner last month, producing a strong run to do so off a break. Has scope for better still in this sphere and should go close again.

Form: 133F3-1

Kylecrue^b¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 138| D

40/1

Front runner with one win three runs in five days at Listowel this month. Probably going to find himself in trouble amongst this quartet.

Form: 6P-51P3

Shaneshill⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| BF| C| D

15/8

Runner-up in the Galway Plate behind Balko Des Flos, get a 7lb pull at the weights for a 4½L defeat there and may have suffered from an ill-timed jumping error. Capable of closing the game for trainer/jockey that won this race a year ago.

Form: P0-1322

Forecasts

Balko Des Flos (11/8), Shaneshill (15/8), Ballycasey (11/2), A Toi Phil (6/1), Kylecrue (40/1)

Balko Des Flos was a good winner of the Galway Plate last month and has plenty scope for better in this sphere. He is likely to go very close again in this but might find SHANESHILL is a tougher nut to crack on these terms. The selection made a jumping mistake at precisely the wrong time in that Ballybrit contest and can avenge his defeat if brushing up slightly in that department. Last year's winner Ballycasey and the consistent A Toi Phil aren't readily ruled out in what looks a fascinating renewal.