13:10 Leopardstown

Friday 27 December 2024

All12:0512:3513:1013:4514:2015:0015:30

Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 8.2s

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Selected odds by:

Blue Lord^t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| CD

25/1

Smart chaser. C&D winner. Seven wins from 17 NH runs. 10/1, below form 28 lengths fourth of 8 to Energumene in Hilly Way Chase at Cork (16.7f, good to soft) 19 days ago, finishing some way adrift of re-opposing stable companion Dinoblue. Arguably the most unlikely winner of the 4 Mullins runners.

Form: 1283/4-4

Captain Guinness⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164

11/1

High-class chaser, notably winning the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. 5/2, pulled up in Fortria Chase at Navan (16f, good to soft) won by Found A Fifty 41 days ago, tailed off when pulled up 3 out. May well bounce back with a bold show but he looks vulnerable nonetheless.

Form: 1P312-P

Found A Fifty⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| CD

4/1

High-class chaser. C&D winner. Didn't need to be at best when taking the Fortria Chase at Navan (16f, good to soft, 11/8) 41 days ago by neck from Solness. Held by Gaelic Warrior judged on their clash at the Cheltenham Festival but he's a solid, reliable type and can be expected to run a big race.

Form: 1221-11

Gaelic Warrior^h²³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 166| BF| C| D

13/8

Top-class chaser. 2¼ lengths second of 4 to Il Etait Temps in Barberstown Castle Novices' Chase (Colliers) (1/3) at Punchestown (16.3f, good to soft) on final start of last season. Beat Found A Fifty by 8½ lengths in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival on his penultimate start. Sets the standard.

Form: 1/11U12-

Gentleman De Mee^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| CD

33/1

Smart chaser. C&D winner. Five wins from 19 NH runs. 11/1, well-beaten fifth of 6 to Found A Fifty in Fortria Chase at Navan (16f, good to soft) 41 days ago. Clearly has work to do.

Form: 242U-35

Marine Nationale^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell| BF| CD

9/2

Smart chaser. C&D winner. 8/11, respectable 7½ lengths second of 5 to Quilixios in Poplar Square Chase at Naas (16f, good to soft) last time. Yet to scale the heights he did as a hurdler (winner of Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival) but certainly not one to write off just yet.

Form: 111/15-2

Solness^p,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 153| CD

28/1

Smart chaser. C&D winner. Five wins from 17 NH runs. Latest win in hurdle at Sligo in October. 18/1, 25¼ lengths fourth of 6 to Jonbon in Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown (15.4f, soft) 20 days ago. Not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 011324

Visionarian^p1²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 150| D

150/1

Smart chaser. Seven wins from 25 NH runs. Pulled up in handicap chase (10/1) at Fairyhouse (17f, good) 27 days ago, tailed off when pulled up early in straight. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 2-P014P

Dinoblue^t1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF| CD

4/1

Very smart chaser. Creditable 10 lengths second to Energumene in Hilly Way Chase at Cork (16.7f, good to soft, 5/2) recently. Winner of this 12 months ago and while her task is tougher this time round with Gaelic Warrior in opposition, she may well rise to the challenge. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 11223-2

Non-Runners

Senecia⁴¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: V Halley J: Mr B O'Neill

Forecasts

Gaelic Warrior (13/8), Dinoblue (4/1), Found A Fifty (4/1), Marine Nationale (9/2), Captain Guinness (11/1), Blue Lord (25/1), Solness (28/1), Gentleman De Mee (33/1), Senecia (100/1), Visionarian (150/1)

DINOBLUE was the Willie Mullins first-string when winning this race last year and while that won't be the case this time round with Gaelic Warrior on the prowl, she has race-fitness on her side having chasing home another classy stablemate in Energumene on her recent reappearance at Cork and will be spot-on for this assignment. Gaelic Warrior was so impressive when brushing Found A Fifty aside in the Arkle and, if able to deliver a performance akin to that, he will obviously be a big threat.