William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 4m 4.90s

Blood Destiny^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

80/1

Smart chaser who didn't need to improve to win 5-runner Newlands Chase at Naas by 4¾ lengths from Touch Me Not, easily. Good 6 lengths second of 6 to Energumene in Fairyhouse Chase but no reason why he'll reverse the form with that rival, let alone compete with the others.

Form: 123P12

Energumene²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| CD

28/1

High-class chaser at his best (won this in 2023) and confirmed he retains plenty of enthusiasm and a chunk of his old ability when landing 6-runner Grade 2 Fairyhouse Chase 3 weeks ago by 6 lengths from Blood Destiny. Much more on his plate in this exalted company.

Form: 2P3-341

Il Etait Temps^t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 173| CD

8/11

Returned in tremendous form with wins in the Clonmel Oil and Tingle Creek at Sandown. In the latter he readily defeated Jonbon but was beaten when falling heavily 2 out at Ascot in a race won by that rival. Cashed in on error-strewn Majborough when landing the Queen Mother Champion Chase last month.

Form: 1/1-11F1

Majborough^p⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 173| BF| CD

7/2

Devastating display from the front in first-time cheekpieces when hammering 5 rivals (including Marine Nationale and Energumene) in the Dublin Chase in February. Jumping rather went to pieces in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and lot depends on whether he can get into a rhythm.

Form: 31-2317

Marine Nationale^p1,t⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell| OR: 169| BF| CD

11/4

Unbeaten in bumpers/over hurdles and he developed into a top-class chaser last season, winning Queen Mother Champion Chase. Followed up in Grade 1 at Punchestown in April and while he was put in his place by Majborough in Dublin Chase, he's better than that. Forced to miss Cheltenham.

Form: 3211-22

Forecasts

Il Etait Temps (8/11), Marine Nationale (11/4), Majborough (7/2), Energumene (28/1), Blood Destiny (80/1)

A fascinating race to form a view on given MAJBOROUGH will polarise opinion but he showed at Leopardstown what he can do when in a rhythm and he's taken to cast aside a big off day at Cheltenham and regain the winning thread. Stablemate Il Etait Temps took advantage of the selection's flop in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and is a rock-solid opponent, while Marine Nationale is also seriously talented and fresh for this.