Grade One Savills Chase Guide 2022

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
1

A Plus Tard

J:
T: Henry De Bromhead
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 180
Days: 39

A top-class chaser who is also a course and distance winner which should put him in good stead for this race.

It was a surprise to see him get pulled up last time out in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, but something was clearly amiss and sometimes these things happen even to the very best horses.

He will go off as favourite again here so hopefully for the horse’s sake he can get back to his best as he is one of the best horses in training.

A Plus Tard is a multiple Grade 1 winning chaser so he has to be fancied to bounce back here with what could be a big display.

The worthy favourite on form and will be interesting to see if he has ironed out any problems he may have had on his last outing, the one to beat if at his best.

Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
2
Jack Kennedy

Conflated

J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 168
Days: 53

Trainer Gordon Elliot plays a strong hand here with three runners and Conflated looks the one that may be feared the most.

He was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup here in February, getting an easy time of it on the front end and was in the process of chasing home Allaho in the Ryanair before making a mistake and coming down at the penultimate fence.

He then signed off the season with another solid run when finishing runner-up in the Grade 1 Betway Bowl Chase at Aintree.

Conflated appeared to be in need of the run on seasonal reappearance at Down Royal last time out so he may well come on from that here.

Has to respected for a top yard, big player.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/11/23DRO24Sft11-103
11/10/23PUN23.5Y/Sft11-125
13/04/23AIN25GS11-10PU
17/03/23CHL26.5Sft11-103
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-101
Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
6
Sam Ewing

Galvin

J: Sam Ewing
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 166
Days: 53

Trainer won this race last year with Galvin and will be hoping to do the same again, but with a different jockey in the saddle this time.

Davy Russell would have probably taken the ride, but he announced his retirement not so long ago meaning young Sam Ewing gets the leg up this time round.

He had the beating of A Plus Tard and Kemboy in this event last season so he has certainly shown he can bring his best form when it matters most.

Was well held at Punchestown at the end of the campaign, but made a solid return when landing a Grade 3 at the same course.

He was very disappointing last time out considering he went off as favourite on the day so will need to show more and is not ruled out for a trainer who has two other runners in this year’s renewal of the Grade 1 Savills Chase.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN34.5GS11-11UR
15/03/23CHL30Sft11-72
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-106
05/11/22DRO24Y11-104
12/10/22PUN24Gd11-121
Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
7
Paul Townend

Kemboy

J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-10
OR: 161
Days: 53

Just like Gordon Elliot, trainer Willie Mullins has three runners in the race and bar the two big priced outsiders, Kemboy looks the pick of his trio.

This 10 year old was not beaten far when third in this event last season, but could manage only finishing fifth behind Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup in February.

Managed to get the better form of Galvin and Conflated when second at Down Royal early last month, but may find it hard to reverse the form again with those two especially Conflated.

He is still showing signs that he can run a big race and with Paul Townend on board nothing can be ruled out.

He will have to come on from his last three races where he has notched up a hat-trick of seconds, but cannot be totally ignored as he is capable of better.

Very much respected.

Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
5
Jordan Gainford

Fury Road

J: Jordan Gainford
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 155
Days: 53

Fury Road was a Grade 1 novice winner beating stablemate Run Wild Fred over course and distance last Christmas before chasing home Ahoy Senor at Aintree.

He was not at his best when running at Punchestown, but came on from that when putting in a resolute performance over a shorter trip than ideal on seasonal debut in a Grade 2 event at Down Royal beating Delvino by a short head.

He dug deep that day and will surely appreciate stepping back up in trip.

One at a bigger price who cannot be ignored that is for sure so watch out for any late market support that may come for this lad.

Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
4
Darragh O'Keeffe

French Dynamite

J:
 
Darragh O'Keeffe
T:
 
M F Morris
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 151
Days: 46

A fairly smart chaser on his day and has six wins from 16 NH runs. 1 win from 3 runs this season, but lacks experience at the higher level and will have a very tough assignment here as it looks unlikely he will challenge rivals in what is Grade 1 company.

He was a good second of 14 in a handicap chase at Cheltenham 46 days ago, but needs to show plenty more on this occasion if he wants to get close to the likes of A Plus Tard, Conflated and Galvin.

Can be ruled out in a race like this.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/04/23AIN20Sft11-104
16/03/23CHL20.5Sft11-104
22/01/23THU20.5Y11-62
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-105
12/11/22CHL20Gd11-62
Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
8
Brian Hayes

Royal Rendezvous

J: Brian Hayes
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-10
OR: 165
Days: 245

Galway Plate winner in 2021 and later won a 2m4f Grade 2 event at Gowran, but did not take to the Aintree fences when being pulled-up in the Topham Chase.

The 10 year old did bounce back from that to win a 2m5f handicap chase at the Punchestown festival, earning an increase in overall rating to 165.

This will be his first time over the longer trip of 3 miles since winning a point-to-point in 2017, therefore looks a near on impossible task for a horse who has not been seen on the racetrack for 245 days.

One to ignore and will most likely go off as the big priced outsider.

Leopardstown - December 28 2022
Leopardstown 14:20
3
Danny Mullins

Franco De Port

J: Danny Mullins
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 156
Days: 25

Has won at this course in the past, but was well below form when finishing 30 ¾ lengths fifth of 11 other rivals to Gran Diose in the Group 2 Prix Georges Courtois at Auteuil 25 days ago.

Looks a very difficult ask and another from the Mullins camp who will be a big price on the day.

One who can be easily dismissed.