BoyleSports Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 4m 9.90s

Castlegrace Paddy^t1⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: P A Fahy| OR: 154| D

20/1

Lightly-raced chaser who posted a career-best effort when winning Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase by 16L at Cork (soft) in December. Has found his progress stalling at the highest level since, though, and suspicion is that he needs the mud. Tongue tied now.

Form: 15-14F6

Great Field¹²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| CD

8/1

Brilliant on his day, winning Grade 1 novice at this meeting in 2017, but sometimes careless at his fences, and has failed to complete on both starts this season. Place claims if avoiding mishaps.

Form: 111/1-FF

Hell's Kitchen^h,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: H Fry| OR: 155

20/1

Always been a raw talent, and put it all together to run out an easy winner of a valuable handicap chase at Ascot in December. Creditable fourth in Champion Chase at Cheltenham, but disappointed in Melling Chase at Aintree last time.

Form: 1P-7144

Min²⁵

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

8/13

Won Grade 1 chases on first two starts this term, and change of tactics reportedly responsible for poor showing in the Champion Chase. Looked better than ever when making all to win Melling Chase at Aintree, and hard to beat with a repeat.

Form: 24-1151

Ordinary World⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 152| D

40/1

Smart form at best, but has regularly come up short against the best, and last to finish in Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Again below form in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse, last time, and prospects looks slim again.

Form: 423283

Un De Sceaux⁴⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| CD

11/4

Wonderfully consistent veteran who won this race last year from Douvan. Second to Altior in Tingle Creek at Sandown in December, and got messed around when below form in Ryanair at Cheltenham last time. Likely to bounce back, and folly to ignore.

Form: 1211-25

Forecasts

Min (8/13), Un De Sceaux (11/4), Great Field (8/1), Castlegrace Paddy (20/1), Hell's Kitchen (20/1), Ordinary World (40/1)

A race dominated by the Willie Mullins-trainer trio, and an exciting spectacle in prospect. MIN disappointed at Cheltenham, but seemed to resent patient tactics, and was better than ever when routing his rivals at Aintree. He has most to fear from stablemate Un de Sceaux, particularly with that rival unlikely to let him dominate, and last year's winner should bounce back from a rare unplaced effort in the Ryanair. Great Field remains capable of smart form when standing up, and is a one-dimensional front-runner, so no prisoners will be taken.