14:35 Leopardstown

Saturday 28 December 2024

All12:2012:5013:2014:0014:3515:0515:40

Savills Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 6m 17.20s

Conflated^p⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| CD

50/1

Took this in 2022 but it's now 12 runs since his last win and he came in only eighth of 9 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (29.2f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Stable in good form though so could bounce back.

Form: 326-U58

Fact To File³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| C| D

13/8

Top-class chaser who extended his winning run to four with sparkling reappeance victory in John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month, showing speed to go with his stamina. Has a fair bit more to offer so leading claims.

Form: 2/2111-1

Galopin Des Champs³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 177| CD

5/6

Outstanding staying chaser who recorded his ninth Grade 1 success when winning his second Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Resumed with a good 2¾ lengths third of 8 to Fact To File in John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown and last year's winner is a player once more.

Form: 31112-3

Gentlemansgame^p²⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 160| C| D

28/1

High-class chaser. Good 5 lengths fourth of 9 to Fastorslow in Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown (25f, good to soft, 40/1). Off 8 months. Cheekpieces back on and this course winner can't be ruled out.

Form: 1/21P54-

Grangeclare West³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| CD

33/1

Rapidly developed into smart chaser at this time last year, winning a Nass maiden before following up in a 3m Grade 1 novice at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Off 11 months before pulled up in John Durkan Chase at Punchestown on his return. Worth another chance.

Form: 561/11-P

Heart Wood²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 154| C

18/1

Very smart chaser. Respectable neck second of 5 to Croke Park in Drinmore Novices' Chase (2/1) at Fairyhouse (20f, good) 27 days ago. Back up in trip. Stable having good spell. Uphill task here however.

Form: 2213-12

I Am Maximus²⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J S McGarvey| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169

25/1

Top-class chaser who signed off last term with a career-best win in Grand National at Aintree, storming clear. Off 8 months and needs to hit the ground running back down in trip.

Form: 1/14311-

Inothewayurthinkin^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 158

11/1

High-class chaser. Well-held seventh of 8 to Fact To File in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, good to soft) 34 days ago. Back up in trip. Can take a step forward.

Form: 23911-7

Minella Cocooner³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| C| D

66/1

Very smart chaser. 24½ lengths fifth of 8 to Fact To File in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, good to soft, 66/1) 34 days ago. Stable in good form but this is a difficult ask.

Form: 13631-5

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (5/6), Fact To File (13/8), Inothewayurthinkin (11/1), Heart Wood (18/1), I Am Maximus (25/1), Gentlemansgame (28/1), Grangeclare West (33/1), Conflated (50/1), Minella Cocooner (66/1)

FACT TO FILE wasted no time in announcing himself at chasing's top table when lowering the colours of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs no less in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month and can confirm himself the leading chaser around by again proving too strong for his stablemate in a thrilling Savills Chase. Inothewayurthinkin and Conflated appeal as the pick of the rest in the battle for minor honours.