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14:40 Down Royal (IRE)

JNwine.com Champion Chase (Grade 1)

  • 4 Runners
  • Distance: 3m
  • Going: Yielding (Soft in places)
  • Surface: Turf
  • €140,000 added
  • Winner: €84,000
  • 2nd: €26,600
  • 3rd: €12,599
  • 4th: €4,200
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 6m 28.00s
  • Off Time: 14:40:07
  • 4 Ran
1
Silk - MAROON, white star & armlet, maroon cap, white star
2/11
  • Form 11311-1
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-10
  • Official Rating 175

raced in 3rd, 2nd after 14th travelling smoothly, on terms before 4 out, soon led, asserted from after 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on well run-in, very easily

2
Silk - Royal blue, red sleeves, white spots, red cap, white spots
7/1
  • Form 5/2P10P-
  • Age 9
  • Weight 11-10
  • Official Rating 160

raced in 2nd, led from 3rd, soon 2nd again, under pressure from 14th, no impression from after 3 out, kept on same pace, just prevailed for 2nd

3
Silk - Maroon, white star & armlet, white cap

Roi Du Mee (FR)

16 t CDCD
11/1
  • Form 41112-2
  • Age 10
  • Weight 11-10
  • Official Rating 154

led, headed from 3rd, soon led again, not fluent 10th and joined, led again 13th, slight mistake 14th, soon under pressure, joined before 4 out, soon headed and no impression, one pace, just denied for 2nd

4
Silk - ORANGE & EMERALD GREEN CHEVRONS, orange sleeves, striped cap
  • Form 52-4025
  • Age 9
  • Weight 11-10
  • Official Rating 148

in rear, hit 3rd, closer order 14th, under pressure from 3 out to chase leaders, no extra in last from before 2 out

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

Road To Riches won this easily a year ago beating Rocky Creek, who won a Grade 3 at Kempton later but pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury and the bet365 at Sandown in between finishing mid-division in the Grand National. He is a decent stayer on his day but it's difficult to imagine him having the quality to cope with DON COSSACK. Gordon Elliott's star won six times over fences last season, including Grade 1 races at Aintree and Punchestown, and his only defeat came in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. He had a nice warm-up with an easy victory over Roi Du Mee, who won this in 2013, at Punchestown a couple of weeks ago and this looks at his mercy. Texas Jack completes a disappointing line-up and though not far behind the selection at Punchestown in December went backwards after that.

Formwatch

Don Cossack (GER) 1-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, soon last, inclined to jump slightly left, closed 8th, soon 3rd, 2nd approaching straight, on terms 2 out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) gd in Oct beating Roi Du Mee (11-8) by 12l, 5 ran.

Rocky Creek (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led until after 2nd, chased leader, dropped to 3rd approaching 4th, chased leaders, pushed along 17th, weakening when stumbled 4 out, soon pulled up, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.

Roi Du Mee (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Led, slightly awkward 4th, edged left briefly at road before 8th, mistake 9th and joined, soon headed, on terms 12th, led again before 3 out, joined 2 out, soon headed and no impression, eased run-in, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) gd in Oct.

Texas Jack (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Soon tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, one pace from before last, 5th of 7, 10l behind Cailin Annamh (10-13) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.