15:40 Gowran Park

Saturday 6 October 2018

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

PWC Champion Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 45.80s

A Toi Phil^t¹⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| CD

15/8

Had Balko Des Flos and Ballycasey behind when taking this race last year, capable of going well fresh and respected for the in-form Elliott team.

Form: 421423-

Jury Duty^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

7/1

Smart novice chaser last term winning a Grade 2 and finishing second in a Grade 1. Ran well behind Clarcam in the Galway Plate this summer but not as good since at Listowel and trainer appears to have better chance elsewhere.

Form: 22U3-37

Woodland Opera^b,t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 146| D

5/1

Comes here on the back of a brace of wins over hurdles, however, was 8L down in second behind Ballyoisin at Punchestown in June and that form likely to hold true.

Form: 222911

Peregrine Run^b³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Loughran| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 152| BF| CD

11/4

Behind Woodland Opera over timber at Down Royal last time, it could prove a different story in this discipline. Favoured by decent ground and can run well.

Form: 31U-912

Don't Touch It^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 145| D

12/1

Ran on well to score close home at Listowel last month over this trip on soft-ground. This is a deeper race may struggle to back that effort up.

Form: P-05031

Ordinary World¹⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 152

13/2

Not won since scoring on debut over fences in 2016, though has often made the frame in that time and in useful company at times. Couldn't be ruled out of the places, but would be a surprise winner.

Form: 2/23457-

Rock The World^p,t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Dempsey| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 140

33/1

Winner of 2017 Grand Annual at Cheltenham, at a time when trainer seemingly walked on water. Not matched that form since and ran only in snatches at Ballinrobe in August when well beaten off. Big ask.

Form: 49-70P4

Non-Runners

Balko Des Flos¹⁷⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: H De Bromhead J: Rachael Blackmore

Ballycasey¹¹⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 11

T: W P Mullins J: Paul Townend

Ballyoisin²³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: E Bolger J: B J Geraghty

Forecasts

Balko Des Flos (7/4), A Toi Phil (15/8), Peregrine Run (11/4), Ballyoisin (9/2), Woodland Opera (5/1), Ordinary World (13/2), Jury Duty (7/1), Don't Touch It (12/1), Ballycasey (16/1), Rock The World (33/1)

Ryanair Chase winner Balko Des Flos returns to action here for Henry De Bromhead and should have plenty to say for himself this term. He was beaten in this race last year, after winning the Galway Plate, and might be vulnerable on his seasonal bow. BALLYOISIN has been progressing over fences and will ensure an end-to-end test is offered. Enda Bolger's charge can take this from the front. Last year's winner A Toi Phil is always respected and should go well for the in-form Elliott string while Peregrine Run is perhaps best of the rest.