There is not much between Masaccio and JAGWAR at the weights on their recent run here but the latter looked to find life quite easy both in the jumping department and with the way he travelled and further improvement can be forthcoming. Masaccio can be the main danger but Ginny's Destiny and Conflated would be big players with anything like a revival. Jordans, Thecompanysergeant (back over fences for his new yard) and Gemirande are others who can play a part, while An Peann Dearg is not dismissed despite the stamina query. Personal Ambition can go well at a price and his stablemate Shakem Up'arry, who won the race last year, is also considered.[Emily Weber]
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Has run with great credit at the last two Festivals, finishing third in the Gold Cup and the Ryanair over C&D (both on soft); however, he's shown hardly a flicker of his former self in Graded races and a cross-country handicap here this winter and the return to regulation fences on this track needs to fan the flames; cheekpieces refitted after one run without.
Powerful front-runner when on song, as when winning twice over C&D (soft and good to soft) last midwinter before finishing an honourable runner-up in Grade 1 novice at the Festival; had some problems since but said to be showing better signs at home of late and is weighted to have a say, off just 2lb higher than the latest win; a revival could be on the way.
Making good progress over fences for this yard, winning a Grade 3 at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October and doing well in the face of a stiff task in a Grade 1 at Limerick (2m3f, heavy) since; needs to get into a rhythm early but he's going the right way and a good test at this trip can suit now handicapping.
At his best on this track but although he acts on good and good to soft his strongest form is on soft, as when runner-up in this race two years ago and for his latest win, over C&D in December 2023; not enough easing in the weights to compensate and looks vulnerable for the win; cheekpieces refitted for the first time since last March.
Two good chase runs here, finishing a close third in the Grand Annual (2m, soft) last March and scraping home in a novice (good) in October; however, although he won a 3m Irish point early in career he's never been beyond 2m2f under rules and that trip was attempted only once; this is a tough race in which to test the stamina waters; regular cheekpieces discarded.
Excellent record in this race, finishing third in the 2023 running and coming out best 12 months ago (both on soft); just 2lb higher now back where he belongs and home work has been promising; he could have done with a wetter week but adding cheekpieces might give him an edge.
Effective on all ground; some sterling efforts at about 2m4f on both courses here but he's been beaten about 9l in the last two runnings of this and these weights don't suggest he's well enough treated to fare better; first-time blinkers replace regular cheekpieces.
Winner of a C&D mares' handicap in December 2023 on her sole course start; has returned from a break in better form than ever with another handicap win, at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in December; however, she'll do well to overcome her current mark.
Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up.
Found a new level of form in late 2024 with wins at Ascot (2m5f, good) and over C&D (good to soft); disappointing here next time but he was still going well when nearly down three out over C&D in January and the 6lb higher mark than for his latest win may not be beyond him; considered for yard that's won this race three times.
20-1 winner of the Plate in 2023 but he came into that race in better form than today and he couldn't respond when a fading third over C&D in January; dropping down weights but perhaps not fast enough for a repeat win.
Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it.
Strong traveller who lost his unbeaten chase record to a smart one at Uttoxeter in December but he got into a nice rhythm round here when settling the argument quite convincingly over C&D (soft) in January; raised 7lb and he's closely matched with the third Masaccio but still rates an improver.
Placed in a bumper and well held in a handicap hurdle in two course starts outside the Festival; record of 1-9 over fences for previous yard but he lost a winning chance only late on when making debut for new yard over hurdles at Navan (2m4f, soft) in January; has a higher chase mark but still of interest.
Beat a classy rival for Grade 2 hurdle win (2m2f); a maiden over fences but the issue was in the balance when he badly misjudged the last in Grade 2 at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and he wasn't seen to best advantage over 2m on soft in January; has potential for yard that won this with Shakem Up'arry last year; first-time headgear.
Has finished in the frame in valuable handicap chases at about 2m5f in Ireland but he's been pulled up at the last two Festivals, in the Coral Cup and this race, so the suitability of the track remains in question.
Two chase wins from 25 attempts and losing run goes back to September 2023; had shortcomings when an outsider in this race last year and although lower in the weights now his overall form leaves him with plenty to find.
Has found hidden depths since dropped to 2m1f over fences at Leopardstown (good to yielding and yielding) and was impressive when drawing away there in February; has coped with longer trips in lesser company in the past and although propelled upwards in the weights he might well excel at this distance, too.
Wide-margin winning yard debut at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) last February before staying trips were beyond him at the Festival and Aintree subsequently; recent runs suggest this is a tall order from out of the weights.
Found improvement at a much lower level for new yard before Christmas but he didn't sustain it at Naas in January and has his work cut out from 9lb wrong.
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 )
