Beacon Edge: High-class staying hurdler and looks like reaching a similar level on the evidence of his Grade 1 success in the Drinmore over two months ago when he accounted for subsequent top flight winner Fury Road.
Commands respect and can do better still over fences, but this race demands a step forward.
Capodanno: Created an excellent impression when winning a smart beginners’ chase over 2m 3f at Naas in Deccember and progressed well from that to finish a fine second to Bob Olinger in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last month. Could easily have more to offer and that last run puts him firmly into the reckoning.
Fighter Allen: Capable type over hurdles and signalled that he could do better as a chaser when finishing a 6l second to Stattler on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse in December but this demands a great deal more and other boast stronger claims.
French Dynamite: Very useful hurdler at his best and produced a nice display to dominate a 2m 4f at Punchestown in November on his most recent outing.
Looks more than capable of holding his own in good company as a chaser but will need to step forward substantially for this assignment.
Fury Road: Talented sort who has looked top class on occasion, notably when coming right back to his best to run out an easy winner of a 3m Grade 1 at this track over Christmas.
This drop in trip isn’t a concern and if he turns up in the same form he was in last time he looks sure to get involved.
Gaillard Du Mesnil: Notched up a 2m 6f Grade 1 win in a novice hurdle at this meeting last year and also struck at the highest level at Punchestown after chasing home Bob Olinger at Cheltenham.
Has yet to reach those heights over fences though and was well held behind Bob Olinger and Capodanno in a Grade 3 last time which leaves him with questions to answer.
Galopin Des Champs: Began to progress very well this time last year when he won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham before recording a dominant success in a 3m Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival.
Turned in a breath-taking effort to land a beginners’ chase over this course and distance at Christmas and that display suggested he could go right to the top as a chaser. The one to beat.
Master McShee: Talented sort who pulled off a fairytale success to edge a tight finish to a Limerick Grade 1 at Christmas and that form wasn’t let down with the runner-up Farouk D’Alene acquitting himself well in a smart contest last Sunday.
A repeat of his Limerick heroics will should result in another bold showing.
Conclusion
A quality affair with most of the runners already boasting Grade 1 form. Galopin Des Champs is impossible to oppose following his stunning effort here at Christmas and he looks every inch a Grade 1-class chaser after just one start over fences.
Stablemate Capodanno lines up with decent claims following his fine effort behind Bob Olinger last time, while Beacon Edge, Fury Road and Master McShee all deserve respect after winning at the top level on their most recent outings.