Elliott’s 8-Y-R sets standard

A three-time Grade 2 winner, A Toi Phil is a hopeful choice for the Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hotel Kinloch Brae Chase in Thurles tomorrow.

The Gordon Elliotttrained eight-year-old has raced in Grade 1 company this season, has plenty of handicap experience and, crucially, is proven over two and a half miles, which might give him the edge over his four rivals in a disappointing renewal of the race, won last year by subsequent triple Gold Cup-winner Sizing John and, in the previous two years, by another Cheltenham hero, Don Cossack.

Firmly beaten by Bachasson at Tramore last time, A Toi Phil earlier filled fourth spot behind Sizing John and Djakadam in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Also fourth to Disko in a Grade 2 in Down Royal, Elliott’s charge registered his most recent success when beating Galway Plate victor and Leopardstown Christmas Chase runner-up Balko Des Flos in the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park in October, before chasing home Alpha Des Obeaux in the Clonmel Oil Chase.

A Toi Phil ground out a gutsy win in the Coral.ie Leopardstown Chase last season, over two miles and five furlongs, and should be suited by what could prove a strongly-run race over two and a half miles tomorrow.

Willie Mullins relies on the lightly-raced, keen-going but quirky

twice a winner as a novice and third to Ball D’arc at Naas on his seasonal debut in November, over two miles.

Paul Townend’s mount has never raced over two and a half miles and must settle to have a realistic chance tomorrow. Similarly,

winner of a two-mile, Grade 2 novice at Punchestown in November, might struggle over this trip in ground described as “soft to heavy”, although successful over a longer trip at last year’s Punchestown Festival.

And he needs to bounce back from a below par effort behind subsequently disqualified Min and Simply Ned in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

The Kinloch Brae doesn’t appeal as a punting opportunity. And A Toi Phil is only a hopeful choice.