17:25 Punchestown

Tuesday 30 April 2024

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:35

William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 4m 10.00s

Ash Tree Meadow^t⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| D

50/1

Has had a good season, winning the Galway Plate and adding a third success in the 5-runner Webster Cup Chase at Navan (20.4f, heavy) 59 days ago by 3¼ lengths from Lucid Dreams. Fair bit more needed to take this.

Form: 2-21141

Banbridge^p1⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 161| CD

6/1

Won the 2022 Martin Pipe and developed into a high-class chaser last term. Successful return in Kempton Grade 2 and unsuited by soft conditions in the Ryanair last month. Cheekpieces go on and good chance on these terms, especially if the ground dries out.

Form: 1321-19

Captain Guinness⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164| CD

6/1

C&D maiden chase winner who finally took a Grade 1 after making the frame 8 times in such races, holding on from Gentleman de Mee in the Queen Mother last month. Respected.

Form: 22-1P31

Dysart Dynamo^t¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| CD

10/1

Smart novice chaser last term (second in 4-runner Grade 1 novice at this meeting) but below par in 2 runs this season, taking a tired final-fence fall for the second time in 4 starts at Leopardstown at Christmas. Difficult to fancy.

Form: 14F2-3F

Fil Dor^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| D

20/1

Very smart chaser who started the season with good seconds behind Dinoblue and El Fabiolo over this sort of trip, but not so good over further the last twice. Tongue tie back on and probably only place claims.

Form: 06-2273

Gentleman De Mee^h,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162| D

11/2

Won a 2m Grade 1 chase at last year's Dublin Racing Festival and some good efforts since having contested only Grade 1s, keeping on for second behind Captain Guinness in the Queen Mother last month. Can go well again.

Form: 614-242

Saint Sam^h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| BF| C

20/1

Enthusiastic high-class front running chaser, successful 3 times over further this season. Ultimately did too much too soon at Fairyhouse last time and drops back to 2m here. Likely to give a bold sight for a long way.

Form: 1-11F1P

Dinoblue⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| BF| CD

11/10

Very likeable mare who has come far in the last 12 months, beating a few of these at Leopardstown (17f) at Christmas and shaping best in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase at Cheltenham, conceding first run. C&D handicap winner at this meeting last season and lots to like back down in trip.

Form: 11-1122

Maskada^t1⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| D

50/1

Won the 2023 Grand Annual but not hit the same heights this season, well held in that race 7 weeks ago (bad mid-race blunder). Tongue tie reached for now and she looks up against it in this company.

Form: 01-4337

Forecasts

Dinoblue (11/10), Gentleman De Mee (11/2), Banbridge (6/1), Captain Guinness (6/1), Dysart Dynamo (10/1), Saint Sam (20/1), Fil Dor (20/1), Maskada (50/1), Ash Tree Meadow (50/1)

DINOBLUE has come a long way in the last 12 months and following her fine effort at Cheltenham, can win at this meeting for the second season running. Banbridge is fresh and looks set for a big run in first-time cheekpieces. Queen Mother 1-2 Captain Guinness and Gentleman de Mee are obvious players too.