William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)

One of four for Willie Mullins; gained a fourth chase win in a Naas Grade 3 in February; creditable effort when a 6l runner up behind Energumene in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 on latest; 3lb worse off with that rival here and looks set to play a supporting role again.

No comments available for this runner.

Ground versatile; not the biggest in stature but a hugely talented performer who has won eight of his 11 chase starts, including six Grade 1s; bolted up in the Champion Chase on latest, immediately bouncing back from a rare blip at Sandown; won a Grade 1 novice over C&D at this meeting last year and he's preferred by Townend; leading chance.

4-8 over fences; has a massive engine and has won three Grade 1s over fences, including when giving Marine Nationale a 19l beating in first-time cheekpieces at the DRF; however, his jumping is often erratic and the cheekpieces weren't as effective when he again jumped poorly when soundly beaten in the Champion Chase; obvious chance if he jumps well but hard to know what to expect; a risky proposition.

The 2025 Champion Chaser arrives here a fresher horse than most after missing Cheltenham with a sore neck; returned to action at Leopardstown in December with a pleasing effort behind Solness after making an early mistake; no match for Majborough at the DRF on testing ground but he's a much better horse on a sounder surface; won this in fine style last year and could repeat the dose.