14:10 Leopardstown

Sunday 2 February 2025

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4515:2015:5016:25

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 4m 7.40s

Captain Guinness³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162

40/1

High-class chaser who had his finest hour when landing Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March. However, this is not his favourite venue and he disappointed here over Christmas.

Form: P312-P5

El Fabiolo²⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| OR: 174| BF| CD

3/1

Winner of 4 Grade 1's including this contest 12 months ago. Subsequently pulled up after a bad mistake in the Champion Chase and well held behind Jonbon at Sandown when last seen in April but is unbeaten here and must be taken seriously.

Form: 11/11P2-

Gaelic Warrior^h,t1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165| BF| C| D

6/4

Top-class chaser who was an impressive winner of Arkle at Cheltenham on his fourth start over the larger obstacles. Couldn't get to Solness when second in Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (13/8) over C&D (good to soft) 37 days ago but should be spot on now. Tongue strap back on. BIg player.

Form: 11U12-2

Gentleman De Mee^t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| CD

40/1

Smart chaser who landed this contest in 2023. However, he has failed to fire in more recent outings and is hard to recommend.

Form: 42U-357

Marine Nationale^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell| OR: 153| CD

9/2

Winner of Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and made winning debut in this sphere here later that year. Progress rather stalled since but he posted good third behind Solness over C&D (good to soft) last time and is still low mileage over fences.

Form: 11/15-23

Quilixios⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 156| C| D

10/1

Took his form up a notch on return when taking Poplar Square Chase at Naas by 7½ lengths from Marine Nationale and was far from disgraced behind Jonbon in Tingle Creek at Sandown since. Can make presence felt.

Form: 6185-12

Senecia^b⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: V Halley| OR: 139| D

150/1

Appeared to excel himself, in first-time blinkers, when excellent 1¼ lengths third of 6 in Fortria Chase at Navan (16f, good to soft, 200/1) in November but this looks much tougher.

Form: 4PU4U3

Solness^p,t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 158| CD

6/1

Sprung a big surprise when winning 9-runner Paddy's Rewards Club Chase over C&D (good to soft) 37 days ago by 3¾ lengths from Gaelic Warrior, unchallenged. Will likely try similar front-running tactics again here but may find the ground softer than he prefers.

Form: 113241

Forecasts

Gaelic Warrior (6/4), El Fabiolo (3/1), Marine Nationale (9/2), Solness (6/1), Quilixios (10/1), Gentleman De Mee (40/1), Captain Guinness (40/1), Senecia (150/1)

Things didn't go right for EL FABIOLO after his impressive victory in this contest last year but he is undoubtedly top class on his day and looks value to make a winning return here. Gaelic Warrior may not be at his best at this course but rates the chief threat nonetheless, whilst Quilixios has been in good form this term and should also go well.