14:25 Leopardstown

Monday 28 December 2020

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Savills Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 6m 25.7s

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Selected odds by:

A Plus Tard^t1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 167| BF| C

15/2

Developed in to a top-class chaser last term, defeating Chacun Pour Soi in Grade 1 here (17f) prior to a solid third in the Ryanair. Good second in Grade 2 on return but stamina to prove back at 3m.

Form: 1/3213-2

Allaho²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| D

7/1

Easy winner of a Fairyhouse maiden chase in January prior to a solid third in the RSA at Cheltenham in March (Minella Indo second). Disappointed in John Durkan on return but he remains with potential

Form: 3/2213-6

Balko Des Flos⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 157| C

100/1

High-class chaser at best but lightly raced nowadays and not the force of old, dropping away before 2 out when seventh in the Champion Chase at Down Royal (3m) in October. Others preferred.

Form: 73/44-47

Delta Work^h,t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G Elliott| OR: 170| CD

6/1

Top-class chaser who won 3 Grade 1's last term, including this race. Creditable fifth in Cheltenham Gold Cup final start and suspicion he will come forward for his Down Royal return. Respected.

Form: 14115-5

Easy Game⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| BF| C

28/1

Took well to chasing last term and added small-field contests to the tally in recent months, including Gowran Grade 2. Not at best at Down Royal latest though and others preferred back at 3m.

Form: 2F-0112

Fakir D'Oudairies³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: M P Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 160

12/1

Grade 1 winner as a novice and career-best display when 1.5 lengths second in the Arkle at Cheltenham in March. Should strip fitter for Naas return and another with stamina to prove at 3m.

Form: 21122-2

Jett^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 152| C

150/1

Very smart effort when landing 6-runner Grade 2 chase at Punchestown in October 2019. Essentially failed to fire so far this campaign and he's set for a struggle in this line up.

Form: 264-P78

Kemboy³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168| BF| CD

9/1

Top-class chaser who was let down by his jumping when seventh in Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Another who should come forward for his return at Thurles but he does need to keep errors at bay.

Form: 1/1427-2

Melon²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159| C

25/1

Very smart hurdler (dual champion hurdle runner-up) who reached a similar level over fences last term, runner-up behind Samcro in JLT final start. Solid third on return in John Durkan but this tougher

Form: 02142-3

Minella Indo³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 165| D

5/2

One of last season's best staying novice chasers (second to Champ in the RSA) and made it 2-2 for present campaign with ease in Navan Grade 2 last month. Top-class prospect with lead claims.

Form: 1212-11

Presenting Percy^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 169| D

8/1

Top-class chaser who went winless last term but showed benefit of return/yard debut when defeating Kemboy by 6.5 lengths at Thurles (22f) last month. Bold showing not ruled out.

Form: 353F-41

Samcro^t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 160| C| D

18/1

High-class chaser who pipped Melon in Golden Miller at Cheltenham in March. Shaped as if better for run when 6¼ lengths third to stablemate Battleoverdoyen in Grade 2 at Down Royal on reappearance.

Form: 5/1F21-3

Tornado Flyer²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

12/1

Came up short in Grade 1 events last season but proved himself at home at highest level with a sound second in John Durkan recently. Going right way and good showing not ruled out at first try at 3m.

Form: 1P35-22

Tout Est Permis^b1,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Moore| T: N Meade| OR: 157| D

66/1

Useful handicap hurdler and even better over fences, respectable third behind The Storyteller at Down Royal in October. Fit from a spin over hurdles but he may find a few too good again.

Form: 453-235

Forecasts

Minella Indo (5/2), Delta Work (6/1), Allaho (7/1), A Plus Tard (15/2), Presenting Percy (8/1), Kemboy (9/1), Tornado Flyer (12/1), Fakir D'Oudairies (12/1), Samcro (18/1), Melon (25/1), Easy Game (28/1), Tout Est Permis (66/1), Balko Des Flos (100/1), Jett (150/1)

A strong renewal featuring the last two winners of the race but MINELLA INDO is a young chaser going places and can register a first Grade 1 win over fences. He's already proven his well-being with comfortable victories both starts this term and the likelihood is there is more to come on the back of just 5 chase starts. Last year's winner Delta Work, Presenting Percy and Kemboy head the dangers.