3.35 UNIBET IRISH GOLD

CUP (GRADE 1) 3M

Alpha Des Obeaux: Former Stayers Hurdle runner-up who has shown flashes of his old ability over fences, such as when winning the Clonmel Oil Chase in November. Ran a respectable sixth to Road To Respect over Christmas and followed that with a respectable showing behind Presenting Percy over hurdles at Gowran last week but there are stronger candidates in the line up.

Anibale Fly: Recaptured the substantial promise of his best novice chase efforts when bolting up in the Paddy Power at Christmas, defeating a highly competitive field by 7l off a mark of 148. That effort more than entitles him to move up to this level and he possibly doesn’t have all that much to find to play a leading role.

Djakadam: Has been one of the best staying chasers around for a number of seasons as evidenced by two seconds and a fourth in the last three runnings of the Gold Cup. However, he was no match for Sizing John in the Durkan Chase two months ago and then pulled up behind Road To Respect here at Christmas which leaves him with questions to answer. A return to form would put him in with every chance.

Edwulf: Classy sort when he puts it altogether as evidenced by a dominant 8l victory off a mark of 142 in a decent 2m 4f novice handicap chase at Naas last year. He was more than entitled to need his comeback run behind Road To Riches but major improvement is now required and there are others with more compelling claims.

Killultagh Vic: Spent almost two years on the sidelines after a miraculous win in a Grade 2 novice chase at this track but showed that his ability remained firmly intact when overcoming some ragged jumping to win a 2m 4f conditions hurdle at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve. Was a Grade 1 winner over this trip as a hurdler and has always jumped fences far better than hurdles so there is every reason to believe that he can be a major player here.

Mala Beach: Quality staying type who returned from injury to win the Tryotown Chase off a mark of 148 on just his second run back this season. That run suggests that he will be able to hold his own in quality conditions races but he needs to take his form to another level for this assignment and he may want much softer ground to be a force at this level.

Minella Rocco: Hasn’t won since the 2016 four-mile chase at Cheltenham but is a force at this level as evidenced by his second in last year’s Gold Cup and a respectable fourth to Road To Respect here last time. A strong showing from him is entirely possible but his jumping can let him down and possibly a more exacting stamina test would be to his liking.

Our Duke: Enjoyed a superb novice chasing campaign which included a Grade 1 victory over Coney Island and Disko over this course and distance and a 14l tour de force off 153 in the Irish National last April. Clearly all was not well when he returned with an abject display at Down Royal in November but he has been given plenty of time to come back to himself and he would be the one to beat on last season’s form.

Outlander: Hasn’t always been the most reliable but he won the Lexus here last season and he also defeated Road To Respect in a Down Royal Grade 1 in November so at his best he is more than a match for the top staying chasers. His latest third to Road To Respect at Christmas is one of the best pieces of recent form in the race and, at a track where he excels, he must be considered a lively contender.

Valseur Lido: Came back from a year off to run an encouraging fifth behind Road To Respect over Christmas and at his best he would be a formidable foe for any of these. He would have won this race two years ago only to exit at the last fence and he was an utterly dominant winner of a Down Royal Grade 1 last season so if that last run has brought him forward he warrants the utmost consideration.

Verdict

Valseur Lido can gain compensation for his unlucky defeat in this race two years ago. His return from a year off at Christmas offered plenty of encouragement and, at his best, he is more than match for any of the top staying chasers. He is taken to see off Killultagh Vic who should also improve considerably from his successful comeback over hurdles. As a novice he was one of the most exciting young chasers around and he is more than good enough to play a major role.

Our Duke must also be considered as he looks to bounce back from his comeback at Down Royal, while Outlander, who excels here, and Anibale Fly are two others to keep in mind.