2.10 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f

Blue Lord: Dual Grade 1-winning novice suffered his only defeat last season when seven-length third to Edwardstone in the Arkle. Looked set for a season at intermediate distances when defeating stablemate Tornado Flyer in Clonmel Oil Chase but then ran out a very impressive 11-length winner back over this course and distance at Christmas (won Irish Arkle here also). This race doesn’t look nearly as strong so he has rock solid claims of another course win.

Dunvegan: Solid servant arguably looked as good as ever when finding only Rebel Gold too good in Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase off a mark of 158 on his latest run. That still leaves him with plenty to find but he has a decent chance to pick up a nice pay day in defeat.

Fastorslow: Just touched off in last season’s Coral Cup before running another admirable second at Punchestown. Those efforts would have marked him down as a novice chaser of potential but he already has a chase win in France to his name, so it’s been a difficult season to negotiate for connections, with his only run coming when fifth to Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan. He comes down in trip now and pending he handles that, he has a good opportunity to pick up some decent prize money.

Gentleman De Mee: Rose to prominence when taking the notable scalp of Edwardstone in the Grade 1 Maghull at Aintree, which was the culmination of a fine run in the spring, having earlier been beaten on his first two starts over fences. Disappointing so far this season, unseating when beaten at Naas before well held in both Tingle Creek and here behind Blue Lord at Christmas, much further back in the latter. He has a lot to prove now.

Sceau Royal: Likeable 11-year-old has 17 career wins and while no match for Constitution Hill latest, he has mostly looked his usual self over hurdles this year, scoring listed contest at Kempton and then finding only Knappers Hill too good in Grade 2 Elite Hurdle, when conceding that rival 6lbs. First start over fences now since 12-length second to Greaneteen in the Celebration Chase last season. Bar Blue Lord, that is decent form in the context of this race and he looks to have solid claims of giving his owners a one-two.

Conclusion

Blue Lord should record another course-and-distance Grade 1 win as this looks a softer race than the one he faced up to at Christmas. Sceau Royal looks best of the rest.