14:25 Leopardstown

Thursday 28 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Savills Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 34.5s

A Plus Tard^t²⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 172| CD

11/1

Top-class chaser and 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero. Signed off for last term with below-par third of 5 to Shishkin in Bowl Chase at Aintree (25f, good) in April but took this in 2020 and he's very much one to consider on his return.

Form: 121/PP3-

Appreciate It^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C| D

11/1

High-class chaser. 6/1, good ½-length second of 6 to Fastorslow in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, soft) 32 days ago, very much having run of race. Back up in trip and no forlorn hope.

Form: 13432-2

Capodanno^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| D

80/1

Very smart chaser but he came in last of 6 to Classic Getaway in listed chase (15/2) at Thurles (22f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Trainer going well. Uphill task.

Form: U41/3P-6

Churchstonewarrior³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: Jonathan Sweeney| OR: 148| D

40/1

Smart chaser. Off 10 months before unseated rider 2nd in Florida Pearl Novices' Chase (16/1) at Punchestown (24f, soft) 33 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 2/2221-U

Conflated⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 164| CD

14/1

Top-class chaser who posted a good 1¼ lengths third of 4 to Gerri Colombe in Ladbrokes Champion Chase (17/2) at Down Royal (24f, soft) 47 days ago. Captured this 12 months ago and in the picture once more.

Form: 313P-53

Galopin Des Champs³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 178| BF| CD

6/4

Top-class chaser and last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup victor. Beaten at 1/2 on return though when 1¾ lengths third of 6 to Fastorslow in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, soft) 32 days ago. This longer trip should suit and remains a player.

Form: 1/1112-3

Gerri Colombe⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 167| D

7/4

His only defeat in 10 starts under Rules came when narrowly denied by The Real Whacker in Brown Advisory at Cheltenham Festival in March. Landed the third Grade 1 success of his career when edging out Envoi Allen on his 3m Down Royal reappearance. Likely capable of even better. Big shout.

Form: 11121-1

I Am Maximus²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158

6/1

High-class chaser. Career best when winning 5-runner Drinmore Novices' Chase (11/1) at Fairyhouse (20f, soft) 25 days ago by 2½ lengths from Found A Fifty, well on top finish. Stable in good form. Possibilities.

Form: 22441-1

Non-Runners

Envoi Allen⁴⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: H De Bromhead J: Darragh O'Keeffe

Fastorslow³²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: M Brassil J: J J Slevin

Janidil⁴⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: W P Mullins J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (6/4), Gerri Colombe (7/4), Fastorslow (3/1), I Am Maximus (6/1), Appreciate It (11/1), A Plus Tard (11/1), Envoi Allen (12/1), Conflated (14/1), Churchstonewarrior (40/1), Janidil (50/1), Capodanno (80/1)

GERRI COLOMBE has met with defeat only once in his career and is fancied to pass his stiffest test to date with flying colours with further improvement very much on the cards. John Durkan hero Fastorslow can prove the main threat to Gordon Elliott's top-class prospect ahead of last year's Gold Cup hero Galopin des Champs in a fascinating Savills Chase.