JNwine.com Champion Chase Tips & Betting Preview

The first big national hunt race of the season in Ireland and a race that usually attracts some of the best chasers’ in the world. Former Gold Cup winners Looks Like Trouble, Kauto Star and Don Cossack have won this race at Down Royal. This is a race that Paul Nicholls has targeted in recent years and he has won the race four times since 2007 so his runner Silviniaco Conti deserves a lot of respect. However, the feeling is the now Henry De Bromhead trained Valseur Lido should have enough ability to win this years’ renewal. The former Willie Mullins inmate finished 2nd to Vautour in last seasons’ Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham before ending the season with a good 2nd to Menorah at Sandown. He would have won the Irish Gold Cup if he didn’t unseat rider at the last, agonising for connections and looks a horse that will improve over longer distances this season.

1 DON POLI – High class stayer trained by Gordon Elliott who was 3rd in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Don Cossack last season, albeit a remote third. Finished 2nd in the Betfred Bowl behind Cue Card and was 3rd to Carlingford Lough when last seen in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Consistent performer but hard to fancy for win purposes on faster ground than what is ideal.

2 LORD SCOUNDREL – Another of the Gordon Elliott trained runners who would have a chance if he can come here in top form. He was very impressive when landing the Galway Plate in July in the hands of Donagh Meyler and he chased home the progressive Sadler’s Risk at Punchestown when last seen. Has work to do to reverse that form but he shouldn’t be too far away.

3 MONKSLAND – Very classy Beneficial gelding trained by Noel Meade. He has entries for the Hennessy Gold Cup and King George Chase in coming weeks so connections must be hopeful of a big run here. He stayed on really well to beat Marinero at Galway off the back of a long break and giving his opponent four pounds too. That was a very good performance and he can’t be discounted if he can build on that promise.

4 SADLER’S RISK – Won the Munster National off 11-6 last season which was a monumental performance and comes here in sublime form off the back of an easy win at Punchestown, beating Lord Scoundrel. He was very well backed that day and there must be more to come from this runner who could be an exciting chaser this season.

5 SILVINIACO CONTI – Paul Nicholls has won this race four times since 2007 so it is clearly a race he loves to target. This high class chaser may hate Cheltenham but he has won everything else there is to win (bar the Grand National which he was pulled up in when last seen). Loves a flat track and although this is undulating, it is not severely testing so if he is in good shape on seasonal reappearance he could take some beating.

6 THE LAST SAMURI – Top class long distance stayer and was 2nd in the Aintree Grand National when last seen. Stays three miles and has the speed for the trip too but he would much prefer some cut in the ground so connections will be praying for some rain overnight. Might need the run.

7 VALSEUR LIDO – Terrific 2nd to Vautour in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and he looked a surefire winner of the Irish Gold Cup only for an awful unseat at the last flight, race at his mercy. He looks a horse that is going to relish longer trips this season and with De Bromhead in the form of his life, he looks sure to be involved in the finish in the Gigginstown House Stud colours.