4.55 BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Beacon Edge: Won the Drinmore here earlier in the season and ran a fine race under a Grade 1 penalty to chase home Farouk D’alene at Navan before struggling behind L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham. That aside, this classy sort has done nothing wrong over fences.

Blue Sari: A Cheltenham bumper runner-up who delivered on the promise of his second to Farouk D’Alene at Navan in December to win well over 2m 4f at Gowran two months ago. He needs to step up again.

French Dynamite: Very smart hurdler at his best and showed that he should prove to be just as good over fences with a game success over Ciel De Neige in a Grade 3 at Thurles last month. This longer trip will suit but this requires a good deal more.

Galopin Des Champs: Stellar talent who has produced a series of awesome displays this season with the latest coming at Cheltenham where a last-fence fall robbed him of a wide-margin victory over Bob Olinger.

Master McShee: Produced one of the moments of the season when getting up in last gasp fashion to edge out Farouk D’Alene in a Grade 1 at Limerick over Christmas. Ran just as well again when chasing home Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown before finding 2m too sharp in a Grade 2 at Navan last time behind Sizing Pottsie. More at home at this trip.

Riviere D’Etel: Classy sort who has run well at Grade 1 level this term, chasing home Ferny Hollow at Leopardstown over Christmas before running a somewhat unlucky second to Blue Lord back at that track just over a month later.

Possibly paid the price for helping to force a stiff enough pace in the Arkle at Cheltenham and her previous two runs suggested she could be worth a try at this distance, but stamina is an obvious concern.

Conclusion

This looks straightforward for Galopin Des Champs and a clear round should see him confirm his Leopardstown superiority over Master McShee with Beacon Edge looking likely to secure the other spot on the podium.