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Mighty Potter ridden by jockey Jack Kennedy on their way to winning the Beginners Chase at Down Royal yesterday. Photo: PA
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Wayne Bailey
Just like last year, the first Grade One of the Irish National Hunt season, the Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2.32 Down Royal), has attracted a small field of five runners.
Supporters of Galvin will be confident he can go one better than that 2021 contest where he was runner-up to Frodon, which is back in action at Wincanton today.
Trained by Gordon Elliott, Galvin went on to beat A Plus Tard at the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown, and while that horse turned the tables in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Galvin has some proper talent and got back to winning ways when taking a Grade Three in good style on his seasonal reappearance at Punchestown last month.
Odds of even-money look about right, with the biggest threat to the selection coming from stablemate Conflated, which was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown priced 18/1 back in February. Kemboy, Envoi Allen and Beacon Edge make up the rest.
If you’re looking for a Gordon Elliott runner at a working man’s price at Down Royal, consider Ebasari, which is 10/1 at the time of writing for the Grade B Charles Hurst DS Handicap Hurdle (1.58).
A former flat horse for Mick Halford, the four-year-old remains unexposed around this mark of 123 and should be able to give Tony Martin’s favourite, Nibiru, a run for his money; although it will be interesting to see what market support arrives for that.
Willie Mullins has three runners at Down Royal today and I’m happy to take 5/2 about Fighter Allen for the Grade Two Eventsec Chase (3.07).
A winner at Tramore in April, he was a faller when last seen at Punchestown a couple of weeks later, and while I’m not usually keen on backing chasers after a fall, he hit the deck at the first fence and appeared fine straight after.
Fury Road is the stand out entry of the four runners at 11/10 but has a stiff task here carrying 12 stone.
Tomorrow, we have jumps action from Cork and I’m surprised to see Defi Bleu available as high as 16/1 for the Grade B Paddy Power Cork Grand National Handicap Chase (3.13).
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A handicap winner at Fairyhouse in April, he was in need of the run when sixth of 16 in the Munster National Handicap Chase at Limerick last time off 1lb higher than today’s 136, which should have him in good shape under Davy Russell.
At the other end of the price scale, El Barra is tipped at 13/8 for the Grade Three Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite EBF Novice Chase (2.43).
A Grade A Handicap winner in April, he fell last time out in the Kerry National but previously ran well to finish third in the Galway Plate, and he looks a cut above the rest.
Tomorrow also sees the end of the Irish flat season at Naas, and priced around 20/1, Taipan gets the each-way vote in the Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap (3.27).
A son of Frankel, Jessica Harrington’s gelding hasn’t won since his debut back in 2020, but he’s raced a lot in Group contests which is above his level and it’s good to see him back in a handicap where he’s raced well in the past around this rating of 97.
Zoffman is another eye-catching entry for Noel Meade, and his manner of victory in a decent handicap at Leopardstown recently suggests he’ll have no problem getting the extra distance.
In the Listed Finale Stakes (2.57 Naas), Ger Lyons’ mare Yaxeni looks the pick of the bunch at 13/8 following a victory at this level here last month.
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