Suir Valley Chase

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 5m 10.90s

Poli Roi^b,t⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

12/1

Made a winning reappearance/chase debut over 2m5f at Fairyhouse in November on good ground but didn't build on that next time in Punchestown novice and never a threat in Grade 3 contest back there in January. Rider could use a winner (0-20 lately).

Form: P85-14P

Polidam¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| D

8/1

Fairly useful chaser but hasn't won since late 2017 and record is just 2-21 over these obstacles. Previous three starts came in big-field valuable handicaps, no major shock should this test be more to his liking.

Form: 94-4070

St Stephens Green⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: E Mullins| OR: 133

14/1

Won first chase at Galway back in July but couldn't build on that next in a Roscommon Grade Three when a remote fifth despite being quite well fancied. Well beaten last month at Punchestown on only run since.

Form: 90/1-153

Acapella Bourgeois^h¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

7/4

153-rated chaser at best, he was attempting to defy a 425-day absence in the competitive handicap hurdle at Cheltenham 11 days ago and understandably found it tough. Beaten by stablemate Polidam at Navan in late 2017 (4-7f) and only two runs since.

Form: 65/F2P-0

Arctic Fire^h⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: D Cullen| D

10/1

Classy Grade 1-winning, 169-rated hurdler in his pomp for trainer Willie Mullins, was beaten 60L in a beginners chase at Gowran Park (2m, soft) in January and looks up against it here.

Form: 3/31449

Yorkhill²⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| D

11/8

Appeared to be going places when he won the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in 2017 but hasn't scored since (seven runs). Ended last season back over hurdles in France in the summer; he's still the best of these on ratings if able to show it.

Form: 86P8-69

Forecasts

Yorkhill (11/8), Acapella Bourgeois (7/4), Polidam (8/1), Arctic Fire (10/1), Poli Roi (12/1), St Stephens Green (14/1)

Willie Mullins has a devilishly strong hand with three contenders, all having questions to answer, in the mix. The simplest solution is to trust the one in possession of the most talent and that is clearly 2017 JLT winner YORKHILL. He's been enigmatic since then but was showing positive signs last summer over hurdles in France. If the champion trainer has managed to find the solution to this puzzling character, he's got too much class to oppose. Stablemates Acapella Bourgeois and Polidam are be best placed to take advantage if he's not up to it, while St Stephens Green is one with potential for better things than he'd done to now.