Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 7m 8.0s

Bellshill²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

4/1

2018 winner of this won two Grade 1s since. Form of those wins would make him a near certainty but uninspiring in two Grade 1s this term. Still is Townend's choice of Mullins quartet; trainer won eight of last 10 renewals.

Form: 41P-476

Voix Du Reve^h³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Fogarty| T: W P Mullins| C

11/1

Won Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup here (2m4f) as a novice but found life tougher as a second season chaser. Upped to 3m plus first time and hurdles form over 3m suggested him a doubtful stayer; chance if he does last.

Form: U1-4543

Sub Lieutenant^p,t²⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| C| D

16/1

Multiple Graded level winner having first run of the season here but probably being aimed at the Grand National having run well over the National Fences last season. Probably need the run today.

Form: 572P2-7

Acapella Bourgeois^h³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C

15/8

Often seen as an underachiever and again a shade disappointing in Thyestes latest after second to Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo at Tramore. Conditions will suit ideally here and still think there's a big performance in there somewhere.

Form: 13-0026

Alpha Des Obeaux^b,t⁷⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

7/4

Second in this last year but missed the Grand National through injury. Placed in all three starts since including over National fences last time and that is presumably the target this season. Classy individual may be biggest danger to Bellshill.

Form: 422-233

Pleasant Company⁷⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| CD

14/1

Losing run goes back to 2017 but finished a close runner-up in 2018's National and looked like he was going close again in last year's renewal before an unlucky unseat. Disappointed over hurdles last time but this test will suit better.

Form: 2/00U-09

Forecasts

Alpha Des Obeaux (7/4), Acapella Bourgeois (15/8), Bellshill (4/1), Voix Du Reve (11/1), Pleasant Company (14/1), Sub Lieutenant (16/1)

Although below par in red-hot Grade 1s this season BELLSHILL gets the vote here. This dual Grade 1 scorer who won this race two years ago looks the most likely of the Mullins quartet to continue the master of Closutton's domination of this event. Classy Alpha Des Obeaux may be the biggest danger although Acapella Bourgeois has ideal conditions to stake his claim.