Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 5m 33.2s

Allaho^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 173| BF| CD

8/13

Top-class chaser. Saw his five-race winning spree come to an end but not disgraced when 1½ lengths third of 6 to Hewick in King George VI Chase at Kempton (24f, good) 26 days ago. The one to beat back in trip.

Form: 1111/13

Appreciate It^t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| D

11/4

High-class chaser. Well-beaten fifth of 8 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills Chase (11/1) at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) 24 days ago. Yard in good form so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 3432-25

French Dynamite^p,t⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 154| CD

6/1

Very smart chaser. Respectable 12 lengths third of 6 to Classic Getaway in listed chase at this course (22f, good to soft) 52 days ago. Tongue strap/cheekpieces back on. No forlorn hope.

Form: 25244-3

Stattler^t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| D

20/1

High-class chaser. Tongue strap on for 1st time, last of 6 to Fastorslow in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, soft) 56 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 11/22P-6

Non-Runners

Envoi Allen⁷¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: H De Bromhead J: Rachael Blackmore

Capodanno²⁴

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: W P Mullins J: Mark Walsh

Forecasts

Allaho (8/13), Appreciate It (11/4), Envoi Allen (7/2), French Dynamite (6/1), Capodanno (16/1), Stattler (20/1)

ALLAHO couldn't extend his winning sequence to six in the King George over Christmas at Kempton but still performed with credit to take third and Willie Mullins' dual Ryanair hero is hard to side against now back in trip. Stablemates Appreciate It (second choice) and Capodanno can fight it out for minor honours.