Coral Dublin Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 4m 12.40s

Min³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| CD

11/8

Demoted last time in a race where he failed to impress after doing too much too soon. The more testing conditions here will suit, but he did leave the impression 2m4f may be more his trip in this company.

Form: 12/11-1D

Simply Ned³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: N G Richards| OR: 158| CD

12/1

Awarded the Paddys Rewards Club Chase over Christmas at the expense of Min. Has earned the right to line up here, but that same rival will be a different proposition this time.

Form: 397-241

Special Tiara³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| D

12/1

Deservedly took the 2017 Champion Chase and no reason to doubt he retains that ability. Ideally suited to better ground and not at his best on sole previous visit here.

Form: 1512-3F

Yorkhill³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| C

7/4

Already has four Grade 1's on his CV including the 2017 JLT. An experiment over 3m failed last time, but has otherwise proved hard to beat, particularly on left-handed tracks. Paul Townend's preferred choice but it won't have been an easy decision.

Form: 41112-8

Alisier D'irlande^t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| CD

20/1

Useful chaser who was beaten by Clarcam in the Fortria and tailed-off last time behind Un De Sceaux. Looks out of his depth in this company.

Form: 5617-23

Ballycasey¹⁰⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Katie Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| C| D

12/1

Has won five Graded races during his career but this trip may be on the sharp side in this illustrious company.

Form: 15-1023

Ordinary World³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 149

10/1

Has something to find with many of these, but his record of making the frame on his last five starts in Grade 1's and 2's earns him respect.

Form: 2232-23

Forecasts

Min (11/8), Yorkhill (7/4), Ordinary World (10/1), Simply Ned (12/1), Special Tiara (12/1), Ballycasey (12/1), Alisier D'irlande (20/1)

Willie Mullins holds a strong hand and Paul Townend will have had difficulty in choosing between Min and YORKHILL. The former hardly impressed against Simply Ned here over Christmas, but he did too much in the first half of the race and conditions may have not been soft enough. However, he left the impression he might be ready for a longer trip and Townend may have taken the right option with the selection. His last run can be ignored and this contest plays to his speed and preference for left-handed circuits. Champion Chaser Special Tiara would prefer better ground, but Ordinary World could make the frame at a big price once again.