The Festival cross-country chase is a handicap for the first time since 2015. STUMPTOWN was not fully extended when scoring under a confident ride over C&D in December and is taken to overcome an 8lb rise. The top weight won a conventional handicap chase in first-time blinkers here last season and, after four runs without headgear, is now tried in cheekpieces. Latenightpass (second choice) and Mister Coffey were placed behind the selection over C&D in December, while Busselton caught the eye when making late headway in that race. Gordon Elliott has an excellent record in this event and 2023 runner-up Galvin may be the pick of his squad.[Chris Wilson]
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Very useful handicapper over regulation fences and 3-4 since switched to cross-country chasing, winning twice over about 3m on the banks course at Punchestown before keeping on strongly to beat Mister Coffey and others in this field quite cosily over C&D (soft; also suited by good) in December; 8lb higher now but the cheekpieces are an interesting addition today and he commands respect.
Grade 1 chase winner in his prime; not getting any younger and absent since close second in US Grade 1 hurdle in October but came second in non-handicap version of this race in 2023 (soft) and is now 1lb lower than when placed in last season's Grand National; drying ground will probably aid his cause; claims.
Won on the banks course at Punchestown (3m, soft to heavy) in February 2024 and will be suited by today's longer trip but seems to have regressed this season; safely held behind Stumptown over C&D in December and no match for Vanillier when remote second at Punchestown last month; revival needed.
Lightly raced since Welsh Grand National success in 2021 but a commendable third in this season's edition of that race (3m6f, soft) in December and again ran very well at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in January; drying ground will reduce his appeal but he has possibilities if he enjoys this new test.
Proved he retains a significant chunk of ability when winning Grade 3 chase at Punchestown (2m7f, good to yielding) in October but has become very inconsistent in recent years and has stamina to prove on this cross-country chase debut.
Won Grade 1 novice hurdle here four years ago and second in the 2023 Grand National (good to soft); faded into ninth after racing prominently in C&D race (soft) won by Stumptown in December but responded very well to first-time blinkers when slamming Coko Beach on the banks course at Punchestown (3m1f, heavy) last month; dangerous if the new headgear continues to aid him.
Career highlight when narrow winner of Listed handicap chase at Punchestown festival (3m, soft) last May but out of form since returning in October from a break; big leap of faith required to support him on this cross-country chase debut; tried blinkers last time; usual cheekpieces back on today.
Irish-trained 13yo who performed pretty well in last two Grand Nationals and has two French cross-country chase wins on his CV, the latter in Listed race at Craon (3m6f, very soft) in September; fell on his only C&D start and would appeal more on soft/heavy ground but still considered each-way.
Former pointer/hunter chaser who scored over C&D (soft) last season and was placed over C&D on both his other cross-country starts; led briefly on run-in when third behind Stumptown and Mister Coffey here (soft) in December and will be fine on today's forecast faster ground; big role to play.
Returned to form with third in Munster National at Limerick (3m, good) in October but quickly back in the doldrums since, the last twice in cross-country chases won by Stumptown (C&D) and Vanillier (Punchestown); might be boosted by refitted cheekpieces but others look much safer.
Placed over conventional fences at two Cheltenham Festivals and runner-up over C&D on both appearances this season (good/soft); stuck to his task very well when one length behind Stumptown on latest occasion and is 5lb better off with that rival today; one for the shortlist.
No win over jumps since 2022 Kerry National at Listowel (3m, good) but ended 2024 with two very respectable sixths over C&D (good/soft) and ran about as well as could have been expected in a Grade 2 hurdle last month; still unexposed in cross-country races and the refitted blinkers can aid; interesting.
Placed in the Plate here (2m4f, soft) two years ago and in Irish Grand National (3m5f, soft) a few weeks later but his form nosedived after Munster National success at Limerick (3m, soft) later in 2023; well beaten on last month's cross-country debut at Punchestown (race won by Vanillier) and arrives here with a lot to prove.
Very useful handicap chaser in his prime (placed in Ultima here two years ago) but on the downgrade now; never really looked dangerous when seventh behind Stumptown over C&D on cross-country debut in December and was remote when fifth to Vanillier at Punchestown last month; 1lb wrong; needs to turn a corner.
Bounced back from poor seasonal debut and belied 80-1 odds when fourth in C&D contest (soft; good to soft also suits) won by Stumptown in December, having raced prominently throughout; also ran well in a conventional chase last month but competes from 4lb out of the weights today and is not the force of old; refitted cheekpieces replace blinkers.
Won 2022 Kim Muir here (3m2f, soft) and produced career-best performance when scoring by 13l over the big Aintree fences last season (3m2f, heavy); badly out of form this term, though, and this new discipline needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; 6lb out of the handicap.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
