DELTA FORCE

Elliott to storm Champion Chase

A five-time winner over fences, Delta Work will be strongly-fancied to give Gigginstown House Stud an eighth successive win in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase in Down Royal.

Gordon Elliott’s charge flopped in this event last year, finishing a well-beaten fourth to Road To Respect, the gelding’s only defeat – over fences – on Irish soil.

But he progressed to win both the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting (beating Monalee narrowly) and the Irish Gold Cup (outpointing Kemboy) before finishing fifth to Al Boum Photo in the Magners Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Jack Kennedy has struck up a formidable partnership with Delta Work. And, although he always improves from his seasonal debut, the seven-year-old looks the most likely winner in a fascinating renewal of this race – won in the past by such stars as Florida Pearl, Beef Or Salmon, Kauto Star and Don Cossack.

Elliott, who enjoyed mixed luck yesterday, will saddle five of the nine contenders for Champion Chase glory. And, unquestionably, Presenting Percy’s performance on his stable debut will be fascinating.

Winner of the RSA at Cheltenham for Pat Kelly in 2018, Percy has always been a crowd favourite, despite a lacklustre effort in the 2019 Gold Cup – in March, he was on the heels of the leaders, looking likely to become involved when crashing at the second last.

Presenting Percy hasn’t won over fences since the RSA and his last success came in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January 2019.

One of a batch transferred to Cullentra, from Pat Kelly’s by owner Philip Reynolds, nine-year-old Presenting Percy is rated 5lb below Delta Work. But we mightn’t have seen the best of him yet! And he has a new partner, Denis O’regan, on board today.

Elliott also runs versatile The Storyteller, winner of the recent Daily Star Chase at Punchestown, where he beat Noel Meade’s Tout Est Permis, with re-opposing Balko Des Flos and stablecompanion Alpha Des Obeaux well beaten in fourth and fifth respectively.

Another interesting contender is Henry de Bromhead’s Chris’s Dream, winner of the Troytown off 146 last November before winning the Red Mills and then finishing 10th in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Unproven at this level, he’s worth watching.

The Elliott-trained Samcro, narrow winner of the Marsh at Cheltenham, might have the edge over race-fit Easy Game and stable-companion Battleoverdoyen (would prefer further) in the Grade 2 Lough Construction Ltd. Chase.

And other likely winners for Cullentra are exciting juvenile Quilixios, impressive at Punchestown, in the opener. Wide-margin bumper-winner Ballyadam in the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle and the well-regarded

£400,000 purchase Sir Gerhard in the bumper.

Delta Work, white cap, in today’s Champion Chase in Down Royal