1.12 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f
Captain Guinness: Without a win since the 2024 Champion Chase at Cheltenham and turns 11 in the new year. Mixed record at Leopardstown. Should show better than last time (pulled up in the Fortria) now sharper but others preferred.
Found A Fifty: Won a couple of Grade 1s at this fixture and Aintree during his novice chasing campaign, but otherwise out of luck in his other eight attempts at the top level. However, his record in Grade 2 company over fences is 11111. Was receiving 4lb when beating Majborough by a length and a half in the Hilly Way 20 days ago. Competes off levels now.
Hercule Du Seuil: Has yet to win above Grade 3 level over fences so this looks a big ask. Officially rated 19lb inferior to Marine Nationale.
Majborough: Outstanding two-mile novice chaser last season, though has a mistake or two in his locker (as caught him out when turned over as 1/2 favourite in the Arkle). Jumping was again hit and miss when beaten a length and a half by Found A Fifty in the Hilly Way. He’s 4lb better off now, however, and that rival had a fitness/race sharpness edge on him then. Looks as talented as any of these if he can produce a complete jumping performance.
Marine Nationale: Stamped his authority on this division come the business end of the season last term, bolting up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Has at least 6lb to spare on all rivals here, though it bears remembering that he was turned over on his first three starts last season and improved considerably into the spring.
Solness: Rating of 161 leaves him with something to find on the best of these, but he has tended to save his very best for Leopardstown (three wins, including two Grade 1s, from four course visits). Last year’s winner of this race arrived here 12 months ago with the benefit of a race-fit profile behind him. This time, it will be his first start since finishing an 11-and-a-half-length third to Marine Nationale at the Punchestown Festival.
Only By Night: Last season’s Arkle runner-up showed a great attitude to fend off Champ Kiely and make a winning reappearance in Grade 3 company at Naas nearly seven weeks ago. Rated 148, so needs to improve to add a first Grade 1 to her CV here, but she is progressive, should enjoy conditions and it wouldn’t be a shock if she sneaks into the frame.
Conclusion
Marine Nationale and Majborough are the standout candidates on all known form and ability. However, the former might well not be operating at his best level today, as connections plot a route back to Cheltenham, while the wayward jumping of Majborough raised some eyebrows at Cork last time. With those slight question marks in mind, a chance is taken on Solness showing his best at a track that suits him so well. One would imagine there’s every chance he’s been trained specifically for contests like this and a reproduction of what he showed when winning this last year will set a solid bar for his rivals to pass.