Some fabulous Grade 1 action on both sides of the Irish Sea today and you have to start with the Savills Chase. A couple of these (Conflated, I Am Maximus) tried to take on Galopin Des Champs in the 2023 edition and were left trailing in his wake and the dual Gold Cup winner once again sets the standard. Much has been made of his defeat in the John Durkan but his record of 1 win from 5 attempts just tells you that Punchestown doesn't suit him and the 2m 4f of the John Durkan just doesn't play to his strengths. We will see a very different Galopin Des Champs today and I will be very surprised if he doesn't win.
The Savills Hurdle is not up to the same standard and is clearly missing star stayer Teahupoo - Gordon Elliott is a creature of habit and is taking the same road to Cheltenham as last season with his star stayer. Quite a few accomplished chasers switching back to hurdles for this today (Asterion Forlonge, Beacon Edge, Hewick, Noble Yeats) and I think Hewick might fare best of those. I'm not sure Bob Olinger really gets the trip at Grade 1 level and so Home By The Lee is the percentage call, particularly on this forecast good-to-yielding ground.
The Challow looks an absolute belter with some big price tags and even bigger reputations on display. Ben Jones had an excellent couple of days at Kempton and is riding out of his skin so Its Hard To Know looks overpriced at 12/1 but the one I like (and may the racing gods forgive me for tipping one of Jonjo's) is Bill Joyce who looked an excellent prospect at Sandown and can continue his progression here.
