Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 14.01s

Any Second Now^b³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: T M Walsh| OR: 162

22/1

Top-class chaser (placed in last 2 Grand Nationals). 16/1, good second of 10 in minor event hurdle at Punchestown (19.6f, heavy) on return 35 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Back up in trip.

Form: 3/9612-2

Franco De Port³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| C

40/1

Very smart chaser. Course winner. 6¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Conflated in Savills Chase at this course (24f, soft, 16/1) 38 days ago, needing stronger gallop.

Form: 0-34554

Fury Road^p,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| CD

18/1

Very smart chaser. C&D winner. Seven wins from 21 NH runs. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Good 6¼ lengths third of 7 to Conflated in Savills Chase at this course (24f, soft, 7/1) 38 days ago.

Form: 1523-13

Galopin Des Champs⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 175| C| D

30/100

Grade 1 winning hurdler who has developed into a top-class chaser, winning his third Grade 1 in this sphere in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on return. Stayed this far over hurdles and will prove very hard to beat.

Form: 1/11F1-1

Kemboy^p³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| CD

16/1

High-class chaser. C&D winner (won this 2 years ago, fifth last year). Nine wins from 32 NH runs. Creditable 5 lengths second of 7 to Conflated in Savills Chase (18/5) at this course (24f, soft) 38 days ago.

Form: 4-62222

Stattler³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| BF| C

11/2

High-class chaser who won 6-runner National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Very good neck second of 5 to Minella Indo in New Year's Day Chase at Tramore (22.2f, heavy, 4/5) on return 34 days ago, travelling best. Remains with potential.

Form: 43/111-2

The Big Dog³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 158| D

33/1

Big improver this autumn, winning Munster National at Limerick and the Troytown at Navan (both 3m). Decent third in Welsh National latest but plenty to find here.

Form: 0P6-113

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (30/100), Stattler (11/2), Kemboy (16/1), Fury Road (18/1), Any Second Now (22/1), The Big Dog (33/1), Franco De Port (40/1)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is potentially the best chaser in training so shouldn't have much trouble recording a fifth Grade 1 success and cementing his place at the top of the Cheltenham Gold Cup market. His progressive stablemate Stattler is the only realistic threat.