Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 7.9s

Hardline²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 161| C| D

8/1

Smart form as a novice last season, and looked better than ever when chasing home Min in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month. Ridden and finding no extra before falling at the last at Leopardstown over Christmas. Needs a couple to falter.

Form: 37-232F

Voix Du Reve^h¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| D

20/1

Winner of three of his nine starts over the larger obstacles. No match for Min and Al Boum Photo in a couple of starts this season and appears to be up against it here.

Form: FU1-454

Real Steel⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C| D

2/1

Four from eight starts over the fences including a win on seasonal debut in the Grade 2 Daily Mirror Chase at Down Royal in November. The mount of stable jockey, the gelding can go close in this company.

Form: 162-114

Jetz^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 145| D

25/1

Battling sort who has up against it on a number of occasions this season. Tailed off on latest start in a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown over Christmas and appears to have a mountain to climb here.

Form: 2-553F6

Footpad²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| C

8/11

Four-time Grade 1 winner over fences with Racing Post novices', Leopardstown and Cheltenham Arkle's, Punchestown Ryanair on his CV. Outpointed when third of five in the King George at Kempton over Christmas but holds a handy weight advantage.

Form: 1/F28-13

Forecasts

Footpad (8/11), Real Steel (2/1), Hardline (8/1), Voix Du Reve (20/1), Jetz (25/1)

Trainer Willie Mullins has won this contest on just one occasion since the turn of the century landing the spoils with Apt Approach in 2012 but the handler can land the spoils here with FOOTPAD. The eight-year-old is a four-time Grade 1 winner over the larger obstacles and can get back to winning ways here at the expense of stablemate Real Steel and the Gordon Elliott-trained Hardline with the handler winning this race in three of the last five years.