Sir Des Champs© Photo Healy Racing
Captain Chris 0AA winner at Punchestown previously in Novice company and the switch back to a right-handed track shouldn't compromise his jumping. Has a bit to find on Cheltenham Gold Cup form but was far from disgraced when just held in the King George at Kempton. Trainer posted a surprise with Planet Of Sound in 2010 and not without hope of a repeat if the stamina holds out. Chicago Grey 0AHold up performer that caused something of a shock in the Red Mills Chase when he secured his first win for the best part of two years. Disappointed in the Grand National at Aintree and looks to be outclassed here. First Lieutenant 0AStill lightly raced for his age and secured a deserved Betfair Bowl having chased home Cue Card in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. (The form line being boosted by Colin Tizzard's charge in defeat to Sprinter Sacre). Finished behind Kauto Stone when they met at Down Royal though much improved in the interim and should be capable of reversing form. Trainer has won the race twice with War Of Attrition (2006) and China Rock (2012).
Kauto Stone
Looked on an upward curve at the beginning of the season when successful in the JNWine.com Champion Chase but has something to prove following a lamentable run in the King George and a 'no show' in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. That said, he has run well when fresh so to be hoped that an 88-day absence has reawaken his enthusiasm for the task.
Trainer, Paul Nicholls has a mixed record in this race. Neptune Collonges landing back-to-back renewals in 2007 and 2008 but stable heavyweights Denman and Kauto Star ran exceptionally below par. Long Run 0AWon the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and was a gutsy third in this year's renewal. Tried in cheekpieces for the first time on that occasion and surprisingly kept in them here. Has only had three races this season - bypassing the Betfair Bowl in order to take this engagement- and has reportedly come out of Cheltenham well. Has no obvious negatives in regard to trip or going. Quito De La Roque 0ATalented yet highly enigmatic horse that ran well for a long way in the Betfair Bowl before eventually fading out into fourth place. Previous winner over course and distance in 2011 and is back in the cheekpieces he wore when successful in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles. Official ratings suggest he needs a career best in order to win this. Riverside Theatre 0AFragile but successful individual that enjoyed a big day in the 2012 Ryanair Chase. Sadly he hasn't looked the same horse since and was bitterly disappointing when well touted for the King George. Some hope for his followers at Cheltenham as he stayed on in this season's Ryanair Chase to be a distant fourth. Appears at his best on right handed tracks, but given he struggled on a previous visit to Punchestown, a risky betting proposition. Sir Des Champs 0AAlways held in high regard by the top brass at Gigginstown and showed plenty of resolution to be second to Bobs Worth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Looks a thorough out-and-out stayer and was able to utilise his stamina in order to exact revenge on Flemenstar in the Irish Hennessy having seen a reverse in the John Durkan Memorial. Trainer hasn't won this race since 2002 when Florida Pearl, but this is by far the best runner he's saddled since.
