Looking at the Dublin Chase, Chacun Pour Soi will improve from his last run but he has to. He’s a strong galloping brilliant jumper but he has to improve. A Plus Tard, to me, is a two and a half-mile horse and he took care of Chacun Pour Soi relatively easy at Christmas.
This was a big call for Paul Townend and he rode all of Willie’s entries last week. Even though they didn’t work together he’s picked Chacun Pour Soi, so he must feel it has the best chance.
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But, they all have to go and get up to Min’s level. Min has won this race the last two years. Without Altior, Min would be a Champion Chase winner. Min sets the standard and they have to get up to his level.
Cilaos Emery is definitely an improving horse going in the right direction. He lacks a bit of experience but I rode him once in Gowran Park, where he beat Ex Patriot and Duc Des Genievres. He then had a fall schooling and missed the Arkle. He won in Naas, he won in Cork and he was a brilliant jumper of hurdles. I don’t think jumping will beat him, it’s whether he has the class and experience only time will tell.
Whatever can get up to Min’s level will win – simple as that.
Min is 171, he’s been there, done that. At Aintree last yea, even though it was two and a half, he was spectacular and he’s had a nemesis in a brilliant racehorse Altior and without Altior, Min’s career would read a lot different and he’d be roaring favourite in the race.
We’ll be hoping Chacun Pour Soi can but whatever happens in the race, Ireland’s going to have a definite challenger for Defi Du Seuil and Altior.
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