Clonmel Oil Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 37.4s

A Toi Phil^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| D

3/1

Already a dual Grade 2 winner over fences and at his best over this sort of trip and on soft or heavy ground. Best effort was when winning at Gowran Park two starts ago. Not at that level last time, but a return to it would see him go close.

Form: 24-4514

Tiger Roll^b,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| D

20/1

Stepped up successfully to 4m when winning at the Cheltenham Festival in March an returned with a good effort over 2m7f (soft) at Wexford last month. Has a bit to find with some of these but further improvement far from ruled out.

Form: 1331P-2

Champagne West²⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| D

7/2

Has sometimes failed to live up to his billing on the racecourse but back to form with two wins last season, though found wanting at the very highest level in the Gold Cup. Effective over this sort of trip and goes well fresh so leading contender.

Form: P/31194-

Realt Mor¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 135| D

80/1

Former Grade 1 winner whose best efforts have all been at 2m-2m4f. Aside from a commendable effort behind Douvan earlier in the year, it is some time now since he was able to mix it at this level and he looks likely to come up some way short again.

Form: 3P46F-0

Alpha Des Obeaux^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: M F Morris| OR: 152| D

7/1

Looked as though he could be going places with a couple of chase wins this time last year, but didn't quite hit the heights. However, has returned well this term, posting respectable efforts on both starts (inc. Grade 1). Bit more needed.

Form: P486-24

Balko Des Flos⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| BF| D

11/10

Was still leading when falling four out in the JLT at Cheltenham in March. Proved that no fluke when winning a Galway handicap chase from a mark of 146 in August. 6½L to find with A Toi Phill on their Gowran meeting last time but leading player.

Form: 33F3-12

Forecasts

Balko Des Flos (11/10), A Toi Phil (3/1), Champagne West (7/2), Alpha Des Obeaux (7/1), Tiger Roll (20/1), Realt Mor (80/1)

Perhaps his Galway win took a bit more out of Balko Des Flos than some had first thought, but he was not quite as good behind A Toi Phill and although he could finish closer this time, it is not easy to see him turning around a 6½L deficit on the same terms and Gordon Elliott's charge should again with that battle. However, the win here should go to CHAMPAGNE WEST, who is good at anything over 2m4f and goes well fresh. Tiger Roll looks next best although this shorter trip may not see him to best effect.