Minimum chance of defeat
MIN is the one they all have to beat in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.
Willie Mullins’ runner is extremely consistent, which cannot be said about some of his rivals here.
His runs last season include a Grade 2 win at the Dublin Racing Festival and two Grade 1 seconds, which came behind the brilliant Altior at Cheltenham before narrowly going down to Politologue at Aintree.
BALKO DES FLOS bolted up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, but disappointed behind Min and Politologue at
Aintree and was also well beaten on his seasonal return in the
Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.
EDWULF’S win in the Irish Gold Cup was one of the stories of last season, but he has shown little in two runs since, while Gordon Elliott’s runners – THE STORYTELLER and SHATTERED LOVE – would both have a chance here on their best form.
Cork also hosts a great card tomorrow, with the pick of the action being the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase.
Preference is for GREAT FIELD, who has won all six of his starts bar one since joining Willie Mullins.
They were all over distances in or around two miles on various ground types and he looks a super bet.
Meanwhile at Sandown today, ALTIOR is unopposable in the Tingle Creek.
Nicky Henderson’s stars have been hitting the ground running this season, with Buveur d’air landing the Fighting Fifth in emphatic fashion last week.
Altior is facing some tough rivals here and UN DE SCEAUX should make the running as always.
Mullins’ runner always puts in a good performance and has only been outside the first two when staying on his feet once in his whole career.
SCEAU ROYAL is another interesting runner as is SAINT CALVADOS, but if Altior is at his best, I can’t see him being beaten.
And LALOR is the one they all have to beat in the randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices’
Chase.
He was very impressive going over fences for the first time last month, winning by seven lengths at Cheltenham. He jumped really well that day and should come home in front again today if in the same form.
At Aintree, BLAKLION looks the answer in the Becher Chase after his impressive win in the same race last year.
He is slightly higher in the weights, but conditions look set to be very similar to 12 months ago and I think he will land the contest once again.
BLAKLION (4/1)
race Blaklion bolted up up in this he will by nine lengths last year and if take all the beating once again in the same heart today.