Henry de Bromhead will be hoping Grade 1s are like London buses for Captain Guinness in the Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.
The Captain landed last month’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival to break his duck at the highest level and the Punchestown equivalent looks like a good opportunity as big boys Jonbon and El Fabiolo are absent after duelling in Saturday’s Celebration Chase at Sandown.
Energumene, the winner of the last two renewals, is also missing but Captain Guinness will have to reverse the form with Dinoblue after twice finishing behind Willie Mullins’ mare earlier this season.
The Closutton maestro, fresh from winning the British Jump Trainers’ Championship, fields three more runners – Dysart Dynamo, Gentleman De Mee and Saint Sam – but it is Banbridge that could be the principal rival to Captain Guinness and Dinoblue as handler Joseph O’Brien turns to cheekpieces and drops his stable star in trip.
Captain Guinness is joined by stablemate Maskada, while Gordon Elliott saddles Ash Tree Meadow and Fil Dor to complete the field for Tuesday’s 17:25.
The latest Champion Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Today’s Best Bets: Ruby Walsh’s Punchestown Tips | Rory Delargy’s Punchestown Tips | Timeform’s Punchestown Tips
Champion Chase verdict
Timeform: DINOBLUE has come a long way in the last 12 months and following her fine effort at Cheltenham, can win at this meeting for the second season running. Banbridge is fresh and looks set for a big run in first-time cheekpieces. Queen Mother 1-2 Captain Guinness and Gentleman de Mee are obvious players too.
*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
Champion Chase runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Champion Chase 2024.
Ash Tree Meadow
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Has had a good season, winning the Galway Plate and adding a third success in the 5-runner Webster Cup Chase at Navan (20.4f, heavy) 59 days ago by 3¼ lengths from Lucid Dreams. Fair bit more needed to take this.
***
Banbridge
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Won the 2022 Martin Pipe and developed into a high-class chaser last term. Successful return in Kempton Grade 2 and unsuited by soft conditions in the Ryanair last month. Cheekpieces go on and good chance on these terms, especially if the ground dries out.
****
Captain Guinness
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs
C&D maiden chase winner who finally took a Grade 1 after making the frame 8 times in such races, holding on from Gentleman de Mee in the Queen Mother last month. Respected.
****
Dysart Dynamo
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Smart novice chaser last term (second in 4-runner Grade 1 novice at this meeting) but below par in 2 runs this season, taking a tired final-fence fall for the second time in 4 starts at Leopardstown at Christmas. Difficult to fancy.
**
Fil Dor
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 6 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Very smart chaser who started the season with good seconds behind Dinoblue and El Fabiolo over this sort of trip, but not so good over further the last twice. Tongue tie back on and probably only place claims.
***
Gentleman De Mee
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Won a 2m Grade 1 chase at last year’s Dublin Racing Festival and some good efforts since having contested only Grade 1s, keeping on for second behind Captain Guinness in the Queen Mother last month. Can go well again.
***
Saint Sam
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 7 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Enthusiastic high-class front running chaser, successful 3 times over further this season. Ultimately did too much too soon at Fairyhouse last time and drops back to 2m here. Likely to give a bold sight for a long way.
***
Dinoblue
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Very likeable mare who has come far in the last 12 months, beating a few of these at Leopardstown (17f) at Christmas and shaping best in the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, conceding first run. C&D handicap winner at this meeting last season and lots to like back down in trip.
*****
Maskada
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Won the 2023 Grand Annual but not hit the same heights this season, well held in that race 7 weeks ago (bad mid-race blunder). Tongue tie reached for now and she looks up against it in this company.
**
Read More on the Punchestown Festival
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Punchestown Festival race times and day-by-day schedule
- Punchestown Race Card: Your ultimate Festival guide to day 1 on Tuesday
- Punchestown Festival Free Live Stream: Watch every race with Paddy Power
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
