5.30 Punchestown
Boylesports.com Champion Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €124,000 - 8 run
Advice: 1 pt win Module (11/2 general)
Baily Green: Second to Simsonsig after wonderful 2013 season
in which he won seven times beforehand but not in the same form this time
around, although his early season second to Sizing Europe and second last time
giving 5lbs to Bog Warrior latest, and was going well when falling in the
Champion Chase; Interesting.
Ballynagour: Hit and miss but when he’s on a going day he’s
capable of mixing it with the best and destroyed Cheltenham handicap field and
backed that up at Aintree with a solid third, going best up the home straight
before being just outbattled for third; Drop back to 2 miles seems a natural
decision and interesting there. 
Hidden Cyclone: Has had a season worthy of the promise that
he showed as a novice chaser before losing his way, an excellent third in the
Paddy Power, a close second over 2m1f to Beneficent at Christmas, and then a
close second in the Ryanair; All three of those efforts are amongst the
strongest form here, and must be given major respect. 
Module: Disappointing when upped in trip to contest
Peterborough Chase but back to some sort of form when landing 2m1f Newbury
Grade 2; That form let down but Champion Chase third, just behind Somersby, was
a solid effort and closely matched with Somsersby on that running today with chance of more to come; Barry Geraghty.
Savello: Part of a sensational day for rider and owner when
winning Grand Annual, coming too fast for Ned Buntline (solid novice form);
Would need to find far more on top of that to get competitive, albeit not
impossible if he was to repeat effort last time; Notable that he has his ground
for only second time this season too.
Sizing Europe: The outstanding 2 mile chaser at his peak and
still has plenty of ability as a Veteran, albeit well behind Hidden Cyclone at
Christmas and then behind Somsersby and Module in Champion Chase last time;
Possible a big effort – like when he pushed Sprinter Sacre closer than at
Cheltenham last year – coming here but surprise if one or two not quicker than
him now. 
Somsersby: Won Haldon Gold Cup at beginning of season when
giving Module 3lbs although and solid effort when second in Tingle Creek to
Sire De Grugy before running big race when third in Champion Chase, just ahead
of Module; Should go close once again. 
Twinlight: Exciting winner of first two starts of the season
by a combined 11 lengths but was in no shape on next two starts and then put in
his place by stablemate at Fairyhouse latest; Needs more to get involved here.
VERDICT: A competitive renewal with more than one chance and
not a race to approach with any level of certainty. MODULE, with Barry Geraghty
on board, is taken to reverse form with Sire De Grugy from the Champion Chase
and that may be enough to edge out Hidden Cyclone.
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