*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Down Royal stages the first Grade 1 of the Irish National Hunt season with a field of five declared for the Champion Chase.
Gordon Elliott’s classy Galvin – second in last year’s renewal – has the fitness edge over most of his rivals having blown away the cobwebs with victory in last month’s Irish Daily Star Chase.
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Stablemate and last season’s Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated looks to be the principal threat while Beacon Edge, Envoi Allen and Kemboy also go to post in Saturday’s 14:32.
The latest Champion Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app and via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise you’ll want to keep on reading for Timeform’s runner-by-runner guide and betting tips.
Champion Chase runners
Beacon Edge
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: B. J. Cooper Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart chaser. Six wins from 19 NH runs. 11/1, pulled up in Champion Novices’ Chase at Punchestown (24.3f, good to soft) won by Capodanno. Off 6 months.
**
Conflated
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Much improved when landing Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February and confirmed that was no fluke on his next 2 starts, disputing second when falling 2 out in Ryanair then length second to Clan des Obeaux at Aintree. Should go well if primed for reappearance.
****
Envoi Allen
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who won the Grade 2 on this card 12 months ago. 14½ lengths third of 5 to Energumene in William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown (2m) when last seen in April. Steps back up markedly in trip on reappearance.
***
Galvin
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Second in this last year before collaring A Plus Tard on the line in Savills at Leopardstown in December. Warmed up for this with a win at Punchestown last month. Leading claims.
*****
Kemboy
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart chaser. 6/1, respectable 2¼ lengths second of 6 to Easy Game in PWC Champion Chase at Gowran (20f, good to soft) 35 days ago, needing stiffer test. Cheekpieces back on.
***
Champion Chase tips
Timeform: There’s little to separate Gordon Elliott pair GALVIN and Conflated on form. The former has a recent outing under his belt and that just tips things in his favour as he bids to go one better than last year. Kemboy may prove best of the rest.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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