JNwine.com Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 6m 4.40s

Balko Des Flos²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 169

10/3

Last season's Ryanair Chase winner at Cheltenham, didn't match that form at Aintree next time out. Behind Road To Respect in the Christmas Chase and it remains the case he is yet to win beyond 2m6f. Back from summer recess and goes well fresh.

Form: 123214-

Outlander^p¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 161| CD

6/1

Ground was a lot softer than predicted when beating Road To Respect in this 12 months ago. Had his limitations exposed on a sound surface 18 days ago and he has plenty to find with Sub Lieutenant as a result.

Form: 32PP8-2

Road To Respect^h¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 165| BF| D

6/4

Just touched off in this 12 months ago before landing the Christmas Chase and then making the frame in Gold Cups at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Has won on his last two seasonal reappearances so very much one to consider.

Form: 1/12143-

Sandymount Duke^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 151| C| D

33/1

Has twice finished a long way adrift of Sub Lieutenant in recent starts. Hard to find any reason why he can turn things around on this occasion.

Form: 150-023

Sub Lieutenant^t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| C

5/1

Held by Balko Des Flos and Road To Respect on last season's form, but he arrives in good shape and the ground is less of an issue. Won at this fixture two years ago and offers good value at the ante-post odds.

Form: 454-511

Woodland Opera^b,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 154| CD

13/2

In tremendous heart and grabbed a Grade 2 chase at Gowran Park a month ago. Made all that day and, with the ground less of a problem him for him than it is for some in this, he could be a surprise package.

Form: 229111

Non-Runners

Don Poli⁶²⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: G Elliott J: Keith Donoghue

Forecasts

Road To Respect (6/4), Balko Des Flos (10/3), Sub Lieutenant (5/1), Outlander (6/1), Woodland Opera (13/2), Don Poli (12/1), Sandymount Duke (33/1)

The ground conditions look key to this with Balko Des Flos and Road To Respect having been withdrawn from recent races when conditions have been too quick. Both go well fresh but on this occasion they concede a fitness advantage to SUB LIEUTENANT who arrives having won his last two starts including a 9L defeat of last year's winner Outlander at Punchestown 18 days ago. The going suits him fine and the same applies to Woodland Opera who could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.