No. |
|
Selection |
Form |
|
Guide |
|
|
- Banbridge
- J J Slevin / J P O'Brien
|
|
176
|
7/2 |
Banbridge
Grade 1 winner from Captain Guinness over 2m at last year's festival; first two runs this season continued the emphasis on tests of speed; proved he stays 3m on a level track when finishing strongly to win the King George at Kempton in refitted cheekpieces; weakened from three out when set tougher stamina test in the Gold Cup; this is less exacting with only four runners.
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- Galopin Des Champs
- P Townend / W P Mullins
|
|
187
|
EVS |
Galopin Des Champs
Deprived of a third Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph by Inothewayurthinkin following a thoroughly satisfactory preparation in the shape of two Leopardstown wins, following the same pattern as last season; 2-6 record at this venue is the principal negative, especially since two of his defeats were inflicted by Fastorslow in this race; less worryingly, twice beaten over 2m4f here in the John Durkan on his seasonal debut, though Spillane's Tower got the better of the duel for second here last December.
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|
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- Monty's Star
- Rachael Blackmore / H De Bromhead
|
|
168
|
9/1 |
Monty's Star
Last year's Brown Advisory runner-up; finished the campaign with second to Spillane's Tower over C&D; only three runs this season; turned over at Tramore in January; ran well for a long way when beaten nearly 8l in fifth behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown in February; almost unseated rider at the ninth in the Gold Cup and hampered at the 15th; recovered but faded from before the last.
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|
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- Spillane's Tower
- M P Walsh / J J Mangan
|
|
170
|
5/2 |
Spillane's Tower
Completed a Grade 1 double (2m4f/3m1f) last spring at Fairyhouse and this meeting, defeating Monty's Star on the latter occasion; made an excellent reappearance in the John Durkan at this venue, splitting Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs over a trip short of his optimum; ground may have been quicker ideal when posing no substantial threat behind Banbridge in the King George; being a fresh horse could be a significant asset here.
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