'He felt like a different horse' - Blue Lord a big festival player says Jacob

Daryl Jacob believes Blue Lord has matured into the finished article and, while much of the Champion Chase chat this week has centred around Energumene and Edwardstone, the experienced rider has warned not to forget last year's Arkle third who is otherwise unbeaten over fences.

Jacob was on board Blue Lord in the 2021 Supreme when he came down at the last while in pursuit of Appreciate It but it was not until the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas that he got to sit on him again in public. The difference, he said, was huge.

"He felt like a completely different horse at Christmas to the one I rode in the Supreme," Jacob said on Thursday. "He's more the finished article now. He's much bigger and stronger."