Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:04 | Winning time: 6m 26.1s

Bravemansgame⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 172| D

10/3

Top-class chaser. Good 7 lengths second of 13 to Galopin Des Champs in Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham (26.3f, good to soft, 6/1) 40 days ago, going with enthusiasm. No obvious reason why he should reverse placings with the winner but is a clear second choice.

Form: 114-112

Envoi Allen^t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164| C| D

12/1

Top-class chaser. 13/2, career best when winning 9-runner Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) at Cheltenham (20.6f, good to soft) 41 days ago by 2¾ lengths from Shishkin, travelling strongly. Stays this far but bit more needed.

Form: 133-171

Fastorslow^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 154

20/1

High-class chaser. Very good second of 23 in Ultima handicap chase at Cheltenham Festival (25f, good to soft, 7/1) 43 days ago. Uphill task at this level.

Form: 022-552

Fury Road^p,t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| C| D

66/1

High-class chaser. Seven wins from 24 NH runs. Latest win in chase at Down Royal in November. Fell at the second in Grand National at Aintree (34.3f, good, 33/1) 11 days ago. Up against it here.

Form: 3-1336F

Galopin Des Champs⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 180| CD

4/11

Top-class chaser. Course winner. 7/5, career best when winning 13-runner Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham (26.3f, good to soft) 40 days ago by 7 lengths from Bravemansgame. Sure to take all the beating once more.

Form: 1F1-111

Non-Runners

Hewick⁴⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: J J Hanlon J: Jordan Gainford

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (4/11), Bravemansgame (10/3), Envoi Allen (12/1), Fastorslow (20/1), Hewick (25/1), Fury Road (66/1)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS confirmed himself at the top of the chasing tree when putting up one of the best performances in the Gold Cup in recent years when beating Bravemansgame by 7 lengths and he can end the season with another Grade 1 success. Bravemansgame can follow him home again, with Ryanair winner Envoi Allen best of the others.