Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 33.8s

Battleoverdoyen^t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 160| D

6/1

High-class chaser who finished fourth in last year's RSA. Back to winning ways in Down Royal Gr. 2 on return but not in same form in John Durkan at Punchestown since. Still, not ruled out here.

Form: 11F4-14

Easy Game³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| D

12/1

Took well to chasing last term and added small-field contests to the tally in recent months, including Gowran Grade 2. Never got competitive in Savills Chase latest but drop back in trip a plus.

Form: F-01127

Allaho³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

10/11

Easy winner of a Fairyhouse maiden chase last January prior to a solid third in the RSA at Cheltenham in March. Stepped up on return when fourth in Savills Chase latest and he's fancied to go well.

Form: 2213-64

Annamix^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

8/1

Improved again to easily win 4-runner conditions chase at Gowran (20f) in November. Not disgraced when fourth behind Chacun Pour Soi in Leopardstown Grade 1 since and expected to give his running.

Form: 21/41-14

Balko Des Flos^p1³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 155| D

33/1

High-class chaser at best but lightly raced nowadays and not the force of old, well held in Savills Chase at Leopardstown on his latest start in December.

Form: 3/44-476

Elimay⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| BF| CD

10/3

Useful C&D winner. Evens, good nose second of 5 to Buildmeupbuttercup in listed mares event at Punchestown (18.6f) 73 days ago. Remains unbeaten over fences and open to further progress in this sphere

Form: 6/1111-2

Turndownthevolume²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Slevin| T: R Tector| OR: 82

400/1

Poor chaser. 25/1, second of 11 in handicap chase at Tramore (21.4f, heavy) 26 days ago. Impossible to make a case for in this company.

Form: 44PP-72

Forecasts

Allaho (10/11), Elimay (10/3), Battleoverdoyen (6/1), Annamix (8/1), Easy Game (12/1), Balko Des Flos (33/1), Turndownthevolume (400/1)

A smashing third in the RSA at Cheltenham in March, the high-class ALLAHO stepped up plenty on his reappearance run when fourth in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown 4 weeks ago, his effort only flattening out late on. The drop back in trip will hold no fears and he can confirm the promise of that run. Battleoverdoyen is more than capable of playing a part and is next best, ahead of Annamix.