Irish Daily Star Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 6m 50.7s

Carlingford Lough²⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J E Kiely| OR: 160| CD

16/1

C&D winner and a top-class chaser, not seen since credible run in fourth behind Sizing John in the Irish Gold Cup in February. This race unlikely to be a priority and no shock if he needs the run.

Form: 614/144-

Outlander¹⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 164| C

8/1

Winner of the Grade 1 Lexus Chase last December at Leopardstown but subsequently suffered heavy defeats in Gold Cups at Cheltenham and here, confidence may need some rebuilding as a result.

Form: 2F210P-

Road To Respect¹⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 157

7/2

Clipped the wings of Yorkhill to win Grade 1 novice event at Fairyhouse over 2m4f on final starts last term, fortunate to do so given the runner-up's antics. Interesting contender now tackling this longer trip.

Form: 432211-

Zabana^t²⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: A Lynch| OR: 153| CD

8/1

C&D winner when landing Champion Novice Chase in April 2016, one win from three last term and essentially a bit disappointing. Off since December and hard to judge for now.

Form: 4U/1417-

Sub Lieutenant^t¹⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162| BF

3/1

Thoroughly likeable performer, has yet to run a bad race in six starts for this handler. Excellent second in Aintree Grade 1 (2m4f) when last out, goes well fresh and is much-respected in this line-up.

Form: 113222-

Kilcarry Bridge^t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 137

25/1

A useful chaser, he was much-improved when winning 14-runner handicap hurdle a Gowran Park (3m, heavy) 19 days ago but will struggled to translate that form against this sort of opposition surely.

Form: 431P31

Minella Rocco^t²¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 166

7/4

Last seen chasing home Sizing John in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, the best effort of his career. Doesn't have a lot of miles on the clock and clearly very talented but record over fences is 1-9 and this won't be easy.

Form: 21/3FU2-

Forecasts

Minella Rocco (7/4), Sub Lieutenant (3/1), Road To Respect (7/2), Zabana (8/1), Outlander (8/1), Carlingford Lough (16/1), Kilcarry Bridge (25/1)

Cheltenham Gold Cup bridesmaid Minella Rocco has to be given due respect coming here for Jonjo O'Neill but, in spite of that very promising effort, his record over fences is not all that inspiring and he doesn't have the easiest task for this reappearance. By contrast, SUB LIEUTENTANT has been a beacon of consistency since joining Henry De Bromhead. He was placed three times at the top level last term and is capable of giving his trainer back-to-back wins in this race. This is an early season treat and, as such, Lexus winner Outlander isn't crossed off the list too hastily while Road To Respect is favoured ahead of Zabana, who may need the run.