17:30 Punchestown

Tuesday 24 April 2018

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

BoyleSports Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 4m 16.00s

A Toi Phil^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| C

33/1

As good as ever when winning the Grade 3 Kinloch Brae at Thurles in January, no match for Un De Sceaux at Fairyhouse (2m4f, heavy) last time when a fortunate 18L runner-up. Unlikely to be good enough over 2m against this opposition.

Form: 242142

Ballycasey²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

66/1

Into the veteran stages now, has been put in his place this term by the likes of Un De Sceaux, Min and A Toi Phil over 2m1f-2m4f. Has it all to do now down in trip against high-class stablemates in this line-up.

Form: 023533

Doctor Phoenix^p,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| D

12/1

Three wins this season, including a Naas Grade 3 over 2m (soft) in February. Looked destined to have a battle with Un De Sceaux at Fairyhouse this month when taking a heavy fall at the second last. Career-best effort needed just 22 days later.

Form: 10112F

Douvan⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 172| CD

4/5

Once a doyen the 2m division, he's been nursed back to health since Champion Chase disappointment at Cheltenham in 2017. Appeared to retain ability when travelling well before falling in the Cotswolds last month, big player on that partial evidence.

Form: 11117-F

Min¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| BF| CD

3/1

No match for Altior when second in the Queen Mother at Cheltenham, often races keenly and appeared to simply be outstayed at Aintree when narrow second to Politologue. Back to 2m suits but third trip to the well in little over five weeks is a worry.

Form: 1-1D122

Ordinary World⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 154| D

16/1

Not won since scoring on debut over fences in 2016 although he does have plenty of placed form in events like this. Plenty to find with Min on this season's form but has been spared since Cheltenham and that might count for something.

Form: 32-2345

Tell Us More^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| D

100/1

Didn't get home in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last time out, the drop in trip is a plus but liable to have his limitations thoroughly exposed by a few of these talented rivals and would be a shock to find him in the shake-up.

Form: 95045P

The Game Changer^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| CD

66/1

Landed a couple of minor prizes last summer over fences/hurdles at Ballinrobe and Listowel. Well beaten in better contests at Navan and Fairyhouse over the winter however. Fair servant to connections, has undergone a wind op but up against it.

Form: 11P447

Un De Sceaux²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| CD

9/2

Teak tough performer with 11 wins from 17 chases. Surrendered his Ryanair crown at Cheltenham last month (second) but bounced back with Grade 2 Fairyhouse success (2m4f, heavy) after narrow leader Doctor Phoenix fell late on. Won't go down easily.

Form: 12-1121

Non-Runners

Special Tiara⁴¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 11

T: H De Bromhead J: N D Fehily

Forecasts

Douvan (4/5), Min (3/1), Un De Sceaux (9/2), Doctor Phoenix (12/1), Ordinary World (16/1), Special Tiara (16/1), A Toi Phil (33/1), Ballycasey (66/1), The Game Changer (66/1), Tell Us More (100/1)

Team Mullins come out with guns firing in the day one feature and the noises from Closutton have all been positive in regards to DOUVAN. He was moving very well at Cheltenham last month before his fall and, on that evidence, could be hard to stop now. In the same colours comes Min, second at both Cheltenham and Aintree recently, is respected back over 2m but he faces a third hard race in a short space of time, enough to sway the vote. Un De Sceaux may find things unfolding too quickly down in trip whilst Special Tiara isn't seeing his races out like he once could. Ordinary World might perhaps run into the money at a big price.