Grade One Champion Chase Punchestown Guide 2023

Willie Mullins’ experienced 11-year-old Chacun Pour Soi travels to Punchestown for a contest that he won two years ago, beating Allaho by five and a half lengths with Nube Negra in third. A multiple grade one winner in his prime, the gelding hasn’t been at his best in the last year or so, finishing last of nine in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month as well as third in three decent races (Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase, Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase and Bar One Racing Chase) in recent times.

Was runner-up to market favourite Energumene in this last year but looks set to struggle here with his best days a long way in the past. One to dismiss in this company.

Willie Mullins has four of the six runners in this years Champion Chase over two miles at Punchestown, with the market favourite Energumene being one of those. The nine-year-old arrives at the Punchestown festival having won his second Champion Chase at the Cheltenham festival last month, powering him to beat Captain Guinness by ten lengths, and a long way away from the rest of the field.

Energumene had lost on his previous outing prior to Cheltenham, blundering at the last fence to finish third in the Clarence House Chase but got back to his best form last month and now looks the one to beat here.

Currently 1/3 market favourite, the 176-rated chaser now looks to win this for a second time, having won it last year (Chacun Pour Soi in second). The clear form pick and one to beat if he is on song again.

The market outsider for the Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday is Rebel Gold, the ten-year-old gelding for Patrick Foley who had a decent 2022, finishing in the top three on a couple of occasions (third at Gowran Park and second at Limerick) before finishing fifth in Leopardstown handicap over 2m 1f in February.

Arrives here on the back of Grade Three success last time out, winning the Newlands Chase at Naas over 2m, a neck ahead of 1/2fav Coeur Sublime. Not totally dismissed, despite market price and 145 in the weights. However, this is much tougher alongside grade one winners.

167-rated chaser for leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins, Gentleman De Mee heads to Punchestown following a victory in the Grade One Dublin Chase over 2m 1f at the Dublin Racing Festival back in February, beating 1/4fav Blue Lord by seven lengths to claim a third graded success over fences.

Had been on a poor run of form before that race but oozed class all around the Leopardstown track before heading here for the Punchestown festival. He should be able to follow that run and be in the mix here, however Energumene will be a tough favourite to beat.

Henry De Bromhead sends one to the Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday, with Magic Daze making her third appearance at this course, having previously won a handicap chase here and finishing fourth in 2021 Listed Mares Novice Hurdle. She was in good form over fences throughout 2022, winning here before finishing runner-up twice in a row at Clonmel and Fairyhouse as well as winning listed event at Naas in February earlier this year.

She headed to Cheltenham for the Mares’ Chase on the final day of last month’s festival but refused to race in the hands of Rachael Blackmore. Ought to forget that day but this is a tougher test for her in this type of company. One to dismiss.

The third and final of the Willie Mullins runners here, after Gentleman De Mee and Energumene is eight-year-old Blue Lord. There were once high hopes for him as a chaser after winning his first three races over the larger obstacles before finishing third in the Arkle at Cheltenham last year, behind Gabynako and Edwardstone. Then won three chases in a row in graded company, including beating a few of these before heading to the Dublin Racing Festival.

Blue Lord finished second at 1/4fav in the Grade One Dublin Chase, as fellow runner Gentleman De Mee claimed victory. Disappointing eighth of nine in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month has him down in trip here to try and extract some of the potential he showed previously.

He’s harder and harder to back with each of the last two runs and in this company may find it tough again, however you wouldn’t want to dismiss a Mullins horse as we all know how good of a trainer he is. Others preferred on recent form, but not ruled out.