3.30 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 70yd

Conflated: Was one of the outsiders when winning this in 2022, but he was in better form then than he’s been so far this season.

Embassy Gardens: Reproduced his early form over fences when making all to win a Grade 3 on New Year’s Day. Capable of placing with a similar performance, but his inconsistency is a worry.

Fact To File: Won a vintage renewal of the John Durkan Chase, before chasing home Galopin Des Champs here over today’s trip, and it’s hard to see why the placings would change today.

Galopin Des Champs: Seemingly unbeatable over fences here, his five Grade 1 wins including the last two runnings of this race.

Grangeclare West: Relatively lightly-raced nine-year-old impressed when winning a Grade 1 over course and distance here as a novice, but has failed to fire on his first two starts this season

Hewick: Likeable bay reverts to chasing following a disappointing run in the Savills Hurdle, and this looks more his cup of tea. He got within two and a quarter lengths of Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown, but the latter’s liking for this track make today a bigger challenge.

I Am Maximus: Grand National hero tailed off on his seasonal return against a number of these in the Savills Chase. Gifted third by a final-fence faller in this last year, when there were just four runners.

Inothewayurthinkin: His Savills Chase run puts him on a similar level to some of these, but leaves him with plenty to find with Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File. He may be one for later in the season, given the way he progressed last year.

Minella Cocooner: An all-the-way winner of a Grade 1 at this meeting as a novice hurdler, his best runs last season came in stamina tests and, given the way he’s run the last twice, he may be best watched today.

Monty’s Star: Twice runner-up in Grade 1s as a novice, including behind Fact To File at Cheltenham, he was a beaten favourite in a Grade 3 on his seasonal return.

He finished five lengths behind Embassy Gardens and, though he should come on from the run, he is 6lb worse off than that rival today.

Conclusion:

There’s no reason to think that Galopin Des Champs’ unbeaten chasing record at the track will end, and he looks a certainty to win this for the third year in a row. Fact To File is an obvious contender for runner-up honours, but I prefer the chances and current price of Embassy Gardens, following his return to form at Tramore.