Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 4m 17.20s

Captain Guinness³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162| BF

16/1

High-class chaser who made a winning reappearance at Navan in November but ran abysmally (subsequently found to be clinically abnormal) when pulled up in Grade 1 won by Dinoblue at the Christmas meeting.

Form: 1222-1P

El Fabiolo⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 172| CD

4/11

Won 3 Grade 1 novice chases last spring (including C&D) and stretched his unbeaten record over fences to 5 in Cork Grade 2 on his reappearance. Likely has even bigger performances in him and can't be opposed.

Form: 1/1111-1

Gentleman De Mee^h,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| CD

9/1

High-class chaser. C&D winner. 11/2, creditable 7½ lengths second of 5 to Dinoblue in C&D Grade 1 last month but surely playing for minor honours again.

Form: U4614-2

Saint Roi^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| CD

66/1

Very smart chaser but ran poorly when distant third to Dinoblue in Grade 1 here over Christmas. Back on track with a creditable effort under a big weight in handicap company at Fairyhouse since but hard to see him being good enough back at the highest level.

Form: 324-434

Dinoblue³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| CD

4/1

Very smart chaser. 9/4, career best when winning 5-runner C&D Grade 1 (heavy) over Christmas by 7½ lengths from Gentleman De Mee, cruising clear. The obvious one to chase home El Fabiolo.

Form: 2211-11

Forecasts

El Fabiolo (4/11), Dinoblue (4/1), Gentleman De Mee (9/1), Captain Guinness (16/1), Saint Roi (66/1)

In the absence of stablemate Energumene EL FABIOLO is very much the one to beat in the 2m chase division this season and he should have too much for his 4 rivals here. Dinoblue can fill the forecast spot.