Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase Preview: Min-imum of fuss

While the racing on these shores focuses on the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and the Graded action at Kempton, including the Desert Orchid Chase, the second day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival includes two Grade 1s.

The Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase, perhaps more commonly known as the Dial-A-Bet Chase, usually provides the top two-mile chasers in the Willie Mullins yard with a penalty kick; not so this year, in theory at least.

Min was sent off at 7/2-on 12 months ago, and was the first past the post, only to (correctly) lose the race in the stewards’ room, with original runner-up Simply Ned awarded the race.

Simply Ned is awarded the Grade 1 Paddy's Rewards Club Chase after interference from Min in the run-in: pic.twitter.com/Bm75glLkBw

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 27, 2017

Min improved on his next three starts, confirming himself a top-class chaser with a win in the Dublin Chase over C&D a month later, before chasing home Altior and Politologue in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and Melling Chase at Aintree, respectively. He flopped on his final start at Punchestown, but was clearly refreshed after eight months off – finally landing his first Grade 1 outside of novice company – when winning the John Durkan Memoral Chase back at Puncehstown earlier this month.

Simply Ned was below form when 12 lengths adrift of Min in the Dublin Chase, as he was when fourth of five on his return in a handicap at Kelso in October, but he was much more his old self when two and a quarter lengths second to Sceau Royal in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month. Though the fourth, Brain Power, has since flourished over hurdles, the form doesn’t look particularly strong.

Ordinary World (third) and Ball d’Arc (unseated rider at the last when held) also ran in last year’s race, but neither has shown form since that suggests they can reverse the form, while Doctor Phoenix and Special Tara were both below their best when chasing home Castlegrace Paddy in the Hilly Way Chase last time.

It's a winner for Gary O'Brien as Castlegrace Paddy duly obliges at @thurlesraces 👍 pic.twitter.com/DgvWiEjTk8

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) 24 March 2018

Special Tiara should come on for that reappearance, but his best performances have come at Cheltenham in the spring, and though the ground may suit here, this may still be a stepping stone for a campaign centred around regaining his Champion Chase crown.

The most interesting of the trio is Castlegrace Paddy, an unexposed seven-year-old who is well worth another try in Grade 1 company on this evidence.

A dry forecast would suit also ‘Horse In Focus’ Ballyoisin, who maintained his 100% record this season when making all in the Fortria Chase at Navan last time (by 23 lengths from Ordinary World). He’s looked a different horse since reverting to front-running tactics and looks well worth his place in this line-up.

Clearly, though, there is one elephant in the room, which covers two entries. The elephant is a last-time-out fall, and the horses are Footpad and Great Field.

The former produced a near-flawless novice campaign over fences last season, winning all five starts, including the Grade 1 novice at this meeting and both the English and Irish Arkles. Indeed, his performance at Cheltenham was the best in the race this century.

As a result, it was a real surprise when he looked so rusty in a Grade 3 at Naas last month, beaten when falling at the last in a race won by Saint Calvados, who has since failed to frank the form in the Tingle Creek. Footpad, for the first time in a while, has plenty to prove.

Similar comments apply to Great Field. His novice season was almost as fruitful as Footpad’s, albeit at a lower level, but his sole appearance last year when winning the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Naas in March, was backed up by a big timefigure. But while Footpad was held when falling, Great Field only got as far as the second.

It’s very unlikely that both will run, indeed we may see neither (for all Mullins has nominated this race as Footpad’s target), but each is a fascinating contender in their own right. Ultimately, though, it looks as if their stablemate Min has been primed to make amends for his aberration in this race last season. The likely stronger pace here should suit him perfectly.

The following race is the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Last year's renewal was one of the more dramatic races of 2017, certainly one a lot of in-running punters won't forget in a hurry. Mengli Khan was travelling well in front when ducking out at the second last, leaving Real Steel at the head of affairs, but he was about to be headed by Sharjah when they both fell at the last, allowing their Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Whiskey Sour – who had struggled to go the early gallop – to come through and pick up the pieces.

Drama at @LeopardstownRC! Whiskey Sour wins an eventful Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle: pic.twitter.com/87R7GVFEbs

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 27, 2017

As you would expect in a race of this nature, Mullins again has a strong raft of entries as he attempts to win the race for the fourth successive year.

Sancta Simona has impressed over hurdles but this isn’t a race that her trainer has run his talented mares in, while Tornado Flyer looks set to take high rank in the novice hurdle division this season, but may not drop back in trip following his taking debut over two and a half miles earlier this month. With that in mind, Prince d'Aubrelle could be the one to focus on. He recorded a good timefigure when impressing at Tipperary last time, and is open to plenty of improvement.

Commander of Fleet finished behind both Triplicate and Aramon in the Royal Bond won by Quick Grabim last time, but remains capable of better. He had earlier impressed when winning a maiden hurdle over two and a half miles at Punchestown, and may yet tackle that sort of trip next; he has an entry over that trip at Limerick 24 hours earlier.

Triplicate conceded first run to the winner in the Royal Bond but shaped very well, and any softening of the ground would appear to enhance his chance. He looks the pick of the Joseph O’Brien entries, for all Lone Wolf got firmly back on the up over hurdles when beating a large field at Fairyhouse last time. Similar comments apply to the Noel Meade-trained Daly Tiger who pulled well clear with the runner-up when successful at Punchestown last time out.

Recommended bets:

Back Min to win the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at 3/1

Back Prince d'Aubrelle to win the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at 8/1

Read Simon Rowlands' preview of the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27

Read Adam Houghton's preview of the Grade 1 action at Leopardstown on December 28