4.55 WillowWarm Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Adamantly Chosen: Failed to make an impact when upped to three miles in Brown Advisory but returns to this intermediate distance, over which he was placed in two Grade 1s. That said he was well held by Mighty Potter over this course, distance and ground in the Drinmore so plenty still to do.

Appreciate It: Two from two over fences (both two miles) before third to El Fabiolo in Irish Arkle. Finally upped in trip for Turners and finished fourth to Stage Star - possibly inconvenienced by racing off a slowish pace before coming home well. Still, needs to prove himself in Grade 1 level over fences now after two tries.

Authorized Art: Ran up a sequence of early season wins but well held on both starts in Grade 1s in season proper so has plenty to prove now, with soft ground also a concern.

Flame Bearer: Highly touted after fine novice hurdle season for Pat Doyle but has been a little underwhelming so far for Willie Mullins, mostly racing over two miles. Looked much more like it last time in Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial and interesting now back up to two and a half, but plenty still to prove at this level.

Flanking Maneuver: Returned off a 760-day break with hugely eyecatching run behind Churchstonewarrior in Ten Up at Navan, travelling smoothly before understandably getting tired late on. Disappointed then behind Journey With Me in Grade 3 at Naas, may well have bounced. Decent record at this course but this is toughest test yet.

James Du Berlais: Talented gelding looked a potential Grade 1 operator when bolting up on his debut at this course on New Year’s Day but has found things tough at the top. Tailed off behind Mighty Potter at Dublin Racing Festival before running sixth to Stage Star in Turners, but failing to land a real blow.

Mighty Potter: Three wins from first three starts over fences included highly impressive performance in the Drinmore here - Gaillard Du Mesnil and Banbridge both well held. Sent off odds-on in Turners but never looked like winning in the later stages. That may well be a track problem, and if it is, he has to be a huge danger back over this course and distance. It’s notable that he bounced back from a poor run at Cheltenham last season to win a Grade 1 at Punchestown.

Sir Gerhard Seriously talented sort (dual Grade 1 winning novice hurdler) started his season late when easily taking Gowran beginners over two miles. Somewhat surprisingly upped to three miles for the Brown Advisory then, where he didn’t jump particularly well but still looked threatening at one stage coming down the hill before cutting out completely. Coming back to this trip may well suit him but that Cheltenham experience isn’t ideal.

Brides Hill Took a bad fall on her chase debut at this course and her trainer reported it took her a while to get over that after she won a listed mares’ chase four starts later at Thurles. That still leaves her with a bit to find here, even with her mares’allowance accounted for.

Conclusion

Mighty Potter was disappointing at Cheltenham but he can get back on track over this course and distance. Even when he was under par at Cheltenham, he still had Appreciate It behind him, so that bodes well for him back over this course and distance.