BoyleSports Webster Cup Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 5m 36.0s

El Fabiolo²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 174

4/11

Top-class chaser. 3/1, fell in Dublin Chase at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Shapes as though he'll stay this trip and will prove hard to beat if able to deliver an assured round of jumping.

Form: 1/11P2-F

Grangeclare West²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162| CD

11/2

High-class chaser. Very good 4¾ lengths second of 10 to Galopin Des Champs in Irish Gold Cup (66/1) at Leopardstown (24.3f, good to soft) 28 days ago. This drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue and while Paul Townend predictably sides with El Fabiolo, he holds strong claims.

Form: 1/11-P62

Fil Dor^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| C

9/1

Smart chaser. Course winner. Six wins from 23 NH runs, the latest at Thurles in November. Third of 5 in minor event chase at Fairyhouse (24.5f, good to soft, 15/2) 24 days ago. Work to do.

Form: P-21243

Gentleman De Mee^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| C

17/2

Smart chaser. Course winner. 24½ lengths fifth of 8 to Solness in Dublin Chase at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft, 40/1) 27 days ago. Back up in trip and he will be a danger to all if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: 2U-3575

Senecia^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: V Halley| OR: 138

50/1

Useful chaser. 150/1, pulled up in Dublin Chase at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft) 27 days ago won by Solness, well beaten 4 out. Back up in trip.

Form: PU4U3P

Forecasts

El Fabiolo (4/11), Grangeclare West (11/2), Gentleman De Mee (17/2), Fil Dor (9/1), Senecia (50/1)

This is likely to be dominated by the Willie Mullins-trained trio, with GRANGECLARE WEST an appealing alternative to the apparent stable first-string, El Fabiolo, and Gentleman De Mee, who hasn't been at his best so far this season. El Fabiolo looked like a star in the making during his novice campaign but things haven't gone to plan since, particularly in the jumping department, whereas Grangeclare West arrives here on the back of a career-best second in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.