15:35 Leopardstown

Sunday 4 February 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Unibet Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 24.90s

Alpha Des Obeaux^p,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: M F Morris| OR: 156| D

25/1

Useful performer on his day including when winning a Grade 2 event at Clonmel (soft-to-heavy) in November. Held since including behind a few of today's rivals here over Christmas.

Form: 241464

Anibale Fly^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: A J Martin| OR: 159| CD

7/1

Impressive winner of a valuable handicap chase over C&D on yielding ground last time out. Also twice placed in Grade 1 company as a novice and interesting to see how he fares in this contest.

Form: 142-591

Djakadam³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| C

13/2

Placed in the Gold Cup in the past and placed twice in Grade 1 company this season. Pulled up here last time out but remains of interest as he chases Grade 1 win number three.

Form: 1342-2P

Edwulf^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 152

33/1

Dual winner over fences last season but pulled up on his two most recent starts including over C&D on his seasonal debut last time out and looks likely to struggle once more.

Form: 21F1P-P

Killultagh Vic³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| C| D

5/1

Useful novice chase a couple of seasons back and made a winning return in a conditions hurdle at Punchestown (2m4f, soft-to-heavy) in December. Interesting to see how he fares on his return to chasing.

Form: 31111/1

Mala Beach⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| C| D

14/1

Grade 2 winner over hurdles and registered his biggest success over fences when winning the Troytown at Navan (3m, soft-to-heavy) in November. Stepping up markedly in grade today.

Form: 22FP/21

Minella Rocco^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 161| D

12/1

Career best effort when finishing runner-up in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham (good) in March. Not repeated that effort in three subsequent starts but did finish a good fourth over C&D in a Grade 1 contest last time.

Form: FU2-4P4

Our Duke⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 167| BF| CD

9/4

Grade 1 winner here as a novice last season and ended that season by taking the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April. Excuses when well beaten at Down Royal on seasonal debut in November and represents last year's winning stable.

Form: 3/1121-7

Outlander^p³⁸

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

6/1

Recorded his third Grade 1 success when winning at Down Royal (3m, soft) in November. Put a disappointing Haydock effort behind him when finishing third over C&D last time out and he is one for the shortlist today.

Form: 0P-6133

Valseur Lido³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160| D

8/1

Made a winning debut for this yard when taking a Grade 1 contest at Down Royal (3m, good) in November 2016. Had just two starts since and interesting to see how he fares today.

Form: U22/14-5

Forecasts

Our Duke (9/4), Killultagh Vic (5/1), Outlander (6/1), Djakadam (13/2), Anibale Fly (7/1), Valseur Lido (8/1), Minella Rocco (12/1), Mala Beach (14/1), Alpha Des Obeaux (25/1), Edwulf (33/1)

OUTLANDER put a disappointing effort at Haydock behind him when claiming third in a similar race to this in December and with the first two home absent from this contest he can claim a fourth Grade 1 victory today. Two of those Grade 1 victories have come at this venue and he can claim this ahead of Our Duke who can put a disappointing seasonal debut behind him by claiming second. Minella Rocco finished behind the selection here last time out and can finish third today.