Savills Chase tips and runners guide to Leopardstown 2.25
A vintage renewal of the Savills Chase is on the cards as the leading contenders for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup are set to go to war at Leopardstown.
Fastorslow got the better of last season’s Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown equivalent before proving that was no fluke by repeating the feat in the John Durkan on reappearance.
Martin Brassil’s stable star goes for the hat-trick in Thursday’s 14:25, but Ladbrokes Champion Chase winner Gerri Colombe could be the fly in the ointment for Gordon Elliott.
Stablemate Conflated landed last season’s renewal of the Savills Chase and defends the title as 2020 winner A Plus Tard attempts to regain the crown.
It highlights the depth of the field that Envoi Allen is Henry de Bromhead’s second string, while Appreciate It, Capodanno, I Am Maximus and Janidil make up the numbers for Willie Mullins. Churchstonewarrior completes the line up.
The latest Savills Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Savills Chase verdict
Timeform: GERRI COLOMBE has met with defeat only once in his career and is fancied to pass his stiffest test to date with flying colours with further improvement very much on the cards. John Durkan hero Fastorslow can prove the main threat to Gordon Elliott’s top-class prospect ahead of last year’s Gold Cup hero Galopin des Champs in a fascinating Savills Chase.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Savills Chase runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Savills Chase 2023.
A Plus Tard
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser and 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero. Signed off for last term with below-par third of 5 to Shishkin in Bowl Chase at Aintree (25f, good) in April but took this in 2020 and he’s very much one to consider on his return.
***
Appreciate It
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser. 6/1, good ½-length second of 6 to Fastorslow in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, soft) 32 days ago, very much having run of race. Back up in trip and no forlorn hope.
***
Capodanno
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart chaser but he came in last of 6 to Classic Getaway in listed chase (15/2) at Thurles (22f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Trainer going well. Uphill task.
**
Churchstonewarrior
Trainer: Jonathan Sweeney Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart chaser. Off 10 months before unseated rider 2nd in Florida Pearl Novices’ Chase (16/1) at Punchestown (24f, soft) 33 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.
**
Conflated
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser who posted a good 1¼ lengths third of 4 to Gerri Colombe in Ladbrokes Champion Chase (17/2) at Down Royal (24f, soft) 47 days ago. Captured this 12 months ago and in the picture once more.
***
Envoi Allen
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser. 3/1, neck second of 4 to Gerri Colombe in Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal (24f, soft) 47 days ago. Stable in good form so this course winner must enter calculations.
***
Fastorslow
Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Quickly made up into a top-class chaser last term and he resumed with a second successive win over Galopin Des Champs in John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month. Not taken lightly.
****
Galopin Des Champs
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser and last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup victor. Beaten at 1/2 on return though when 1¾ lengths third of 6 to Fastorslow in John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Punchestown (19.7f, soft) 32 days ago. This longer trip should suit and remains a player.
****
Gerri Colombe
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
His only defeat in 10 starts under Rules came when narrowly denied by The Real Whacker in Brown Advisory at Cheltenham Festival in March. Landed the third Grade 1 success of his career when edging out Envoi Allen on his 3m Down Royal reappearance. Likely capable of even better. Big shout.
*****
I Am Maximus
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: J. S. McGarvey Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser. Career best when winning 5-runner Drinmore Novices’ Chase (11/1) at Fairyhouse (20f, soft) 25 days ago by 2½ lengths from Found A Fifty, well on top finish. Stable in good form. Possibilities.
***
Janidil
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who returned with 9 lengths second of 3 to Allaho in Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel (20.4f, heavy, 3/1) 49 days ago. Stable having good spell. Not dismissed.
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