Ryan McElligott

BOYLESPORTS IRISH

GRAND NATIONAL CHASE

(GRADE A) 3M 5F

Cause Of Causes: Cheltenham Festival specialist who took second in the Kim Muir in 2014 before landing the four miler last year and looked better than ever with a dominant 12 length win in the Kim Muir this time around. A 12lbs penalty for that last win won’t make life easy and is making a very quick return to action off top weight but last year’s Aintree Grand National eighth could improve on his unplaced effort here in 2014.

Mala Beach: Talented sort who is sure to relish this trip and a second in this season’s Thyestes is a pointer to his chances. Jumping has been a conern this term – he would probably have won a Grade 2 last time but for exiting two out – but is still open to progress and appeals as a likely contender. Some easing of the ground over the weekend would aid his cause.

My Murphy: Very useful staying handicapper at his best as evidenced by a one and a quarter length victory over Mala Beach in this year’s Thyestes and an excellent second to Djakadam in the 2015 edition of that race. Finished a creditable seventh in this race last year and is now 8lbs higher but comes here at the peak of his powers and warrants respect.

Living Next Door: Runs here off a 15lbs higher mark than when denying Foxrock in the 2014 Paddy Power Chase. Has only run twice since then with his last start over hurdles on New Year’s Eve offering some promise. He has already shown that a strong stamina test is ideal but a career high mark over fences makes this tougher.

Sub Lieutenant: Smart novice hurdler last season and has reached a similar level over fences. After some solid efforts against quality novices, he turned in a likeable effort from the front to win a 2m 4f Naas Grade 3 earlier in the month. This is much more competitive and he won’t have things all his own way up front but he is still interesting and pedigree suggests this trip will suit.

Thunder And Roses: Turned in a cracking effort to land this contest last year off a 9lbs lower mark. Hasn’t yet reached those heights this term although his fifth in the Bobbyjo last month, where he was beaten 17 lengths into fifth, wasn’t a bad run. Commands the utmost respect in a race whose demands clearly bring out the best in him.

Bonny Kate: Jumped superbly and did everything right to win the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in January and then took advantage of a good opportunity in a mares Grade 2 at Limerick a fortnight ago. Stamina is assured and looks well equipped for the demands of this race so a bold showing is expected provided the ground eases somewhat over the weekend.

Rogue Angel: Didn’t end last season in good heart but returned to his best this term, winning a useful handicap at Galway before then edging out Urano by a short head in the Kerry National. Hasn’t matched that Listowel form since but his last run offered promise and the step up in trip will certainly suit.

Russe Blanc: Out and out stayer who showed himself to be quite at home in good staying handicaps when bagging a good 3m 5f contest at Warwick two months ago. He is now 10lbs higher but isn’t one to dismiss, especially if the ground softens up over the weekend.

Venitien De Mai: Went unbeaten in points and the switch to chasing this season has seen him recapture that initial promise. Won quite a reasonable beginner’s event at Down Royal before following in fine style in the Leinster National, defeating Goonyella by six lengths. A 10lbs higher mark shouldn’t be enough to prevent him from mounting a strong challenge.

Another Hero: Fascinating contender whose career record stands at seven wins from eleven starts and he has won both his starts over fences, defying marks of 125 and 131 at Ascot and Ludlow respectively. Could easily have much more to offer and shapes as though this trip will suit. If the ground doesn’t soften too much he has an excellent chance.

Baie Des Isles: Looks to have found her calling as a staying chaser. Won over 3m 1f at Punchestown in January before then chasing home Bonny Kate in a Grand National Trial next time and her fourth to Boston Bob in the Bobbyjo last time was another creditable effort. Her stamina is assured and she is not one to discount.

Bless The Wings: Thoroughly likeable 11-year-old who has mixed handicaps and cross country chases to good effect this term and won over this course and distance in November (only 4lbs higher now) while his last run saw him finish a fine third to Any Currency at Cheltenham. Others may have more room for improvement but he can be relied upon to run his race.

Cantlow: Formerly a regular in big handicaps, he was eighth in this race two years ago before finishing sixth twelve months ago. His second in a banks race at Punchestown in January was encouraging before he failed to make an impression behind Any Currency at Cheltenham last time. His two previous showings in this race give cause for hope.

Folsom Blue: Useful staying handicapper at his best and was beaten less than seven lengths into fifth in this race two years ago. A comeback third in December’s Paddy Power Chase was most encouraging and, while he hasn’t matched that form subsequently, he is not ruled out.

Killer Crow: Looks to have stepped forward significantly over fences in his last couple of runs, the most recent of which is a striking two and a quarter lengths second to Empire Of Dirt in January’s Leopardstown Chase. Didn’t convince that he got this trip in a steadily run race over course and distance in November and stamina is the major concern but he still warrants due consideration.

Captain Von Trappe: Has struggled somewhat in decent company since scoring over 2m 7f at Galway in October. A third to Marlbrook at Naas last month represented a decent showing but his efforts either side of that temper enthusiam for his chances.

Kilford: In form 10-year-old who comes here at the peak of his powers. Won a veteran’s chase by 27 lengths at Navan on his penultimate start and returned to that track to land a valuable novice handicap by nine and a half lengths two weeks ago. This requires more but he does come here in better form than a number of his rivals.

Raz De Maree: Good stayer at his best having won the Munster and Cork Nationals in 2012 to go with an eighth in the 2014 Aintree National and a second in last year’s Midlands National. Should improve for a recent comeback over hurdles but far more is needed here.

Unic De Bersy: Won a 2m 4f novice chase at Wexford earlier in the season and has posted a couple of reasonable efforts in handicaps since, including when a half a length second to Baie Des Iles at Punchestown in January. However this assignment requires a career best.

Jarob: Hit a rich vein of form on good ground in the autumn when he won twice over hurdles and defeated subsequent Troytown second Georges Conn in a beginner’s contest at Tipperary. Was beaten less than 3l on his comeback over hurdles at Leopardstown lately and is among the more interesting runners.

Portrait King: Won Punchestown’s National Trial and the Eider Chase in 2012 and a sixth in this season’s Welsh National followed by a third in the Eider indicate that he still retains plenty of ability. Nonetheless he probably needs to return to his very best to play a leading role.

Ballyadam Approach: Ended last season in tremendous form, bagging good handicaps at this meeting and at Punchestown. Some signs of encouragement to be taken from his recent Leopardstown run behind Colms Dream but stamina beyond 2m 5f is unproven and a few of these look too strong.

Bearly Legal: Turned in the best effort of his career to win a 2m 5f Leopardstown handicap off a mark of 120 in January. Struggled behind stablemate Colms Dream in a better class of race back at that track last month and needs to do far better to play a part here.

Wrath Of Titans: Began his season with a 2m 5f beginner’s chase win at this track but then struggled against better novices and was well held in a useful Naas handicap last time out. He would be a surprise winner.

Tulsa Jack: Made good progress in the autumn which culminated in a 12 length victory in the Cork National. Returned from a break with a fifth in last weekend’s Ulster National but ran better than his final position indicates and could outrun his odds.

Definite Ruby: Capable handicapper at her best as she showed when second to Regal Flow off a mark of 124 at Cheltenham in October. Had to settle for seventh in the Ulster National on her return last weekend and this requires a good deal more.

Futuramic: Has yet to win over fences but some of his form still reads well. He was beaten only 11 lengths in the Paddy Power at Christmas while his thirtheen and a half length third to Venitien De Mai in the Leinster National is another solid effort. Probably deserved to finish closer than a six length third in the Ulster National last weekend and should again run his race.

Riverside City: Won last year’s Ulster National off a mark of 109 but has done better again this season, winning the Troytown in November before finishing a fine sixth in the Paddy Power at Christmas. However, his three runs since then don’t quite provide the same level of encouragement.

Verdict

Another Hero boasts an impressive profile and surely has more to offer over fences. If the ground doesn’t ease too much he could take beating. Following his fine win in the Leinster National Venitien De Mai must have every chance and he is another with further room for progress. Killer Crow has stamina doubts to overcome but he is respected along with stablemate Bless The Wings. Of the others Tulsa Jack could run well at a price while Bai Des Iles and Rogue Angel warrant consideration.