6.05 Punchestown
Boylesports.com Champion Chase (Grade 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €87,250
Barker: Had been relatively obscure until couple of easy novice chase wins, steeping up to big time comfortable when coming a close second in the Powers Gold Cup; Then proceed to run away with the Cathal Ryan at the Punchestown festival last year; Good performance then but that was on very soft ground and main rivals (Forpadydeplaster for one) could well have been over the top; Unseated and pulled up in 2 runs this year, which does not offer hope.
Cornas: Impressed with his thirteen length rout at Exeter out but form of that not strong; Well beaten in Grade 1 company so tough task on here.
Don’t Be Bitin’: Put up some game performances this season but was 5 lengths behind Golden Silver last time and is about a stone worse off today.
Forpadydeplasterer: One of toughest novice chasers of last season and solid campaign highlight was Arkle chase win; Jumped sketchingly on comeback and eventually tired on very heavy ground when second to Herecomesthetruth; Met a little setback but had a good break and ran well to be second behind Big Zeb in Champion Chase and again to come second behind Albertas Run In the Melling Chase; Sure to run big race again.
Golden Silver: Got the better of Arkle winner Forpadydeplaster last January in the Irish Arkle before going off the boil for the rest of his novice runs; Came back in really good style when landing Hilly Way off topweight really easily and impressed when landing Dial A Bet Chase; Was outclassed by Big Zeb twice before landing topweight in easy style last time out; Chance her in favoured conditions although he has a little bit to make up on the principals.
Kalahari King: Tough and consistent novice chaser who was arguably unlucky not to have won an Arkle; Came back in great style when landing a handicap off topweight but was well beaten by Forpady in the Champion; Fell too early to have had a race last time but still has to turn around form with Forapdy; Strong chance, but opposable as favourite.
Natal: Ran a great race to finish second in the Newlands Chase last time but this has more strength in depth and trip may not suit him as much as others; That makes it hard for him.
Salford City: High class novice at his best without winning, coming second to Jered here 2 years ago; Jumps fences fine (beat useful novice Doctor David by 11 lengths) but this is a huge step up in class.
Scotsirish: Ran well in a series of races last season and is coming into the same form as last season, having ran an excellent second under topweight in the Topham; Is 7 lengths behind Golden Silver on form, so tough task today.
Sizing Europe: May only be a novice and faces big task stepping up but does have a faultless record over fences (unbeaten over fences in 5 starts)and put up a display of the highest class when winning good Arkle last time(form already working out well); Huge task on but no doubting that he’s up to it.
Twist Magic: Inconsistent but very talented 2 mile chaser who’s claim to fame was winning this very race 2 years ago; Largely disappointing last season until romping home in the celebration chase, and was looking like a big threat of Masterminded when coming down 2 out in the Tingle Creek of 2008; Usually inconsistent but had best winter ever, romping home in Tingle Creek and Victor Chandler Chase; Disappointed at Cheltenham for third straight year but was beaten 52 lengths before winning this in 2008, so expect big run; Absence of Ruby Walsh is slight negative(7-18 Chase wins have come with him on board).
VERDICT: A good renewal of this race, as has been usual and it has produces some pulsating contests over the years, none more so than last year where Big Zeb’s jumping cost him the race. That horse doesn’t reappear after his Champion Chase win, but it’s none the less a high class contest anyway with many imponderables. Kalahari King didn’t really have a race at Aintree last time and can be expected to go close here, but he has to reverse form with Forpadydeplasterer, who in turn finds it slightly hard to win and although he has had a break this season, is running at his third consecutive big festival. Twise Magic has a form edge on everything in the field and was having his best ever season before blowing out in the Champion Chase (as he has done 3 times now) and that is no put off, as he was beaten 52 lengths before winning this in 2008 and is in better form now. What’s more of a put off is the absence of Ruby Walsh, who has been on for all his Grade 1 wins and 7 out of his 18 chase wins in total. SIZING EUROPE is unbeaten over fences and put up a display of the highest class to win an Arkle that is already working out well. This is a huge test but there’s not doubting his class and he can do it.
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