14:30 Down Royal

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:10

JNwine.com Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 16.10s

Alpha Des Obeaux²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: M A Enright| T: M F Morris| OR: 152| D

12/1

Ran well for a long way in the Grade 1 RSA Novice chase at Cheltenham in March and ran a fine race in the Munster National on seasonal debut. Has bled in the past.

Form: 3P486-2

Carlingford Lough^t1¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J E Kiely| OR: 157| D

33/1

Popular veteran who finished a fine fourth of seven in the Irish Gold Cup in February before disappointing on seasonal debut last month in a Punchestown Grade 3 contest.

Form: 14/144-7

More Of That²¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 157| D

14/1

Simply not good enough in this year's Gold Cup when sixth of 13 and he's yet to prove as good over the larger obstacles as he was over hurdles but his performance in the Grand National can be easily dismissed though this still looks tough.

Form: P36U6P-

Our Duke²⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 167| D

5/6

A fine first-season chasing campaign culminated in a stunning win in the Irish Grand National in April. Likely to be a warm order.

Form: P3/1121-

Outlander^p1¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| D

16/1

Winner of the Grade 1 Lexus Chase last December at Leopardstown but subsequently suffered heavy defeats in Gold Cups at Cheltenham and at Punchestown. May have reached his peak.

Form: F210P-6

Road To Respect¹⁶

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

7/2

Improving and consistent progressive chaser who graduated to win the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup novice chase at Fairyhouse, before a facile win on seasonal debut at Punchestown. More progress possibly.

Form: 32211-1

Sub Lieutenant^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162| C

6/1

Thoroughly likable performer, has yet to run a bad race in seven starts for this handler including on seasonal debut at Punchestown and is likely to come on for the run.

Form: 13222-3

Zabana^t¹⁶

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

25/1

Last big day was in April 2016 winning the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. Toiled in his most recent outings including on seasonal debut last month at Punchestown when beaten 27L.

Form: U/1417-5

Forecasts

Our Duke (5/6), Road To Respect (7/2), Sub Lieutenant (6/1), Alpha Des Obeaux (12/1), More Of That (14/1), Outlander (16/1), Zabana (25/1), Carlingford Lough (33/1)

The out of form could be the one to take them along here with Sub Lieutenant and possibly OUR DUKE following closely. The seven-year-old had a fine first-season chasing campaign culminated in a stunning win in the Irish Grand National in April. Road To Respect and More Of That can battle for the minors.