Trust Energumene to prevail over stable-companion Chacun Pour Soi in their fascinating rematch in today’s Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has been beaten once in seven outings over fences, when collared late by Shishkin in the Clarence House at Ascot in January.
He was impressive when powering home a clear winner of Cheltenham’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, beating Funambule Sivola and one of today’s rival’s Envoi Allen.
While many observers have questioned the merit of that form, because the race fell apart, Energumene has an opportunity to prove his quality today.
In Cheltenham, odds-on favourite and Clarence House winner Shishkin was struggling from flagfall before being pulled up.
And Chacun Pour Soi, ridden positively, was in front when blundering and unseating Patrick Mullins at the ninth.
Contrary to previous tactics, Paul Townend had dropped in Energumene and came from off the pace to lead at the second last before drawing clear for an easy win.
Most of Energumene’s wins have been achieved on soft ground, but he handled a yielding surface well when slamming Janidil in the Grade 1 novice here last year. And I don’t expect today’s conditions to be a concern.
But, in stable-companion Chacun Pour Soi, he’ll face a very tough opponent. A six-time Grade 1 winner over fences, unbeaten in two outings at Punchestown and wide-margin conqueror of Allaho in this race last year.
Beaten only once on Irish soil, when outpointed by A Plus Tard at Leopardstown’s 2019 Christmas meeting, Chacun Pour Soi has failed to deliver on three trips to England, producing his best effort when a close third to Put The Kettle On in the 2021 Queen Mother.
He was a complete flop in the Tingle Creek at Sandown in December, when ridden for the first time by Patrick, and, of course, unshipped Mullins at Cheltenham. Patrick will be on board again today, hoping to put the record straight.
Chacun Pour Soi, at his best, is a real star and looked as good as ever when beating Dunvegan in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas.
But Chacun is 10 and vulnerable to a high-class, progressive eight-year-old in Energumene as Townend bids for a three-in-a-row in the race, having won on Un De Sceaux (2019) and Chacun Pour Soi last year.
Henry de Bromhead will be doubly-represented by Envoi Allen, back to Grade 1 success at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, but a well-beaten third behind Energumene in Cheltenham, and Captain Guinness, well held behind Chacun at Leopardstown before winning a Grade 3 in Naas and, last time, disappointing when stepped-up to two and a half miles behind Fakir D’oudairies in Aintree.
Completing the five-strong line-up will be Gordon Elliott’s Andy Dufresne who’ll have plenty to do at the weights.
Meanwhile, Sir Gerhard is difficult to oppose in the Grade 1 Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle in Punchestown.
Winner of three bumpers and three hurdles, the Jeremy gelding is a Grade 1 hurdle winner over both two miles (at Leopardstown in February) and two miles and five furlongs (in the Ballymore at Cheltenham).
He beat Gordon Elliott’s Three Stripe Life on both occasions, form boosted when his victim took Grade 1 honours at Aintree.
Dropped in at Cheltenham, Sir Gerhard (inset) had made all in both Leopardstown wins. But he’ll almost certainly have to take a lead today with free-going stable-companion Dysart Dynamo, an impressive all-the-way winner of the Moscow Flyer over course and distance.
Dysart gave himself little chance when too keen in the Supreme Novice, won by Constitution Hill, at Cheltenham and had been headed when crashing three from home.
Patrick Mullins, who won two bumpers on Dysart Dynamo, will be re-united with him in a race which also includes Grade 1 scorer Mighty Potter. But Sir Gerhard is the one to beat, although his only defeat came in the Grade 1 bumper here last year.
All eyes will be on Bob Olinger, unbeaten over fences, when he steps up to three miles in the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase.
A star novice hurdler last season, winning twice in Grade 1 company, Henry de Bromhead’s charge was no match for Galopin Des Champs in the Turners at Cheltenham when presented with the race by his star rival’s last fence crash.
Up in trip and fitted with a first-time tongue tie, Bob Olinger will be expected to show more enthusiasm for his task this time.
Peter O’Hehir's tips:
3.40.Dinoblue
4.15.Sir Gerhard (Nap)
4.50.Glan
5.25.Energumene
6.00.Caldwell Potter
6.35.Bob Olinger
7.10.De Nordener
7.45.Firm Footings
Next Best
3.40.Grangee
4.15.Dysart Dynamo
4.50.Ardla
5.25.Chacun Pour Soi
6.00.Rocco Ray
6.35.Capodanno
7.10.Good Bye Sam
7.45.Lisnagar Oscar
Double : Sir Gerhard and Energumene.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Hearts Are Trumps (4.50.)
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