Ryan McElligott

2.30 JNWINE.COM

CHAMPION CHASE

(GRADE 1) 3M

Alpha Des Obeaux: Former top-notch staying hurdler but has yet to prove himself as good over fences. After a tame end to last season, a recent comeback second in the Munster National was most encouraging and he could easily do better still. However, this race represents a sharp rise in class and a career best over fences is needed for him to play a leading role.

Carlingford Lough: Multiple Grade 1-winning chaser who has previously accounted for some of the leading lights of this division. However, he was restricted to just two runs last season and struggled to make an impression behind Road To Respect on last month’s Punchestown comeback so he may be best watched.

More Of That: Superb winner of the 2014 Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham but has yet to reach those heights over fences. Nonetheless, he was beaten less than 10l into sixth in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and he still held every chance only to exit at the last in the Irish Gold Cup the previous month. At his best he would be a danger to all.

Our Duke: Took just four runs to progress into an outstanding staying novice last season when he won at Grade 1 level as well as producing one of the performances of the season to win the Irish Grand National by 14l off a mark of 153. Heads into this season as one of the leading lights of the chasing division and can easily do better still over fences. He has won first time out for the last two seasons.

Outlander: Sprung something of a surprise to win last season’s Lexus Chase at Leopardstown but has struggled in top company since then. He was unable to make an impression behind Sizing John at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring and his recent comeback behind Road To Respect leaves him with it all to do for his return to top company.

Road To Respect: Took his form to a new level last spring when dominating an ultra-competitive Cheltenham Festival handicap before then edging out Yorkhill by a neck in a 2m4f Fairyhouse Gade 1. He looked quite at home stepping back up to 3m when making a victorious return at Punchestown last month and the benefit of that comeback outing, coupled with steadily progressive form, makes him a major contender.

Sub Lieutenant: Enjoyed a fine campaign last term when his efforts in defeat included a second to Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair, a runner-up finish to Fox Norton in the Melling Chase and a second to Sizing John at Thurles. Returned to the fray with a respectable third to Road To Respect at Punchestown but can certainly do better still and he could still be a coming force in the 3m division.

Zabana: High-class sort at his best as he showed when ending the 2015/16 season with a Grade 1 triumph at Punchestown. Last term he was restricted to just three runs and he will surely come on from last month’s comeback fifth behind Road To Respect at Punchestown but this assignment demands a good deal more.

CONCLUSION

There could just be more to come from Sub Lieutenant over three miles and a series of excellent runs in top company last season would suggest that he is quite capable of playing a leading role here. He is entitled to improve for a recent comeback at Punchestown and is a hopeful choice to upstage the brilliant Our Duke. Road To Respect defeated the selection at Punchestown last month and also warrants every consideration.