National Hunt Chase favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil the one to beat in Grade 1 test

Thursday: 1.45 Leopardstown
Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTE2/RTV

On only two occasions in the past decade has either Gordon Elliott or Willie Mullins failed to win this top-level prize, a race that has been won in that time by the likes of Carlingford Lough, Don Poli, Our Duke, Shattered Love, Delta Work and Monkfish.

Ireland's two powerhouse trainers come to the fore once again, with Mullins' sole representative Gaillard Du Mesnil setting a lofty standard.

A dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler in 2021 who has twice won at Leopardstown, the classy six-year-old is in his second season over fences but remains a novice due to not yet making the breakthrough as a chaser.

Gaillard Du Mesnil (right): runner-up to Mighty Potter in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at FairyhouseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Despite lacking a win over fences, Gaillard Du Mesnil has achieved more than any of these rivals in this sphere and is now rated 156.

He finished a well-held third to Galopin Des Champs at the Dublin Racing Festival, filled the same position behind L'Homme Presse in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival and posted an excellent effort when third off a mark of 154 in the 2022 Irish Grand National.

Reverting to three miles should be a big boost to his claims after finishing closest to Mighty Potter in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase over 2m4f on his comeback earlier this month.

Elliott, who has won this race a record five times since 2015, supplies the biggest danger in Three Stripe Life.

There appeared to be market confidence behind last season's Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle winner when sent off 5-2 favourite for the Drinmore when pulled up after a mistake at the eighth of 14 fences that saw his saddle slip and Davy Russell lose his irons.

Untried beyond 2m5f – the trip at which he finished second to Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle – he rates an intriguing contender with the potential to improve for stepping up to three miles.

Three Stripe Life: one of two live contenders for Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Stablemate Frontal Assault is bound to relish the trip and has the benefit of seven runs over fences. However, stepping into Grade 1 company after being beaten 22 lengths in the Troytown Handicap Chase on his last start means he must improve.

Mighty Potter would have been a massive player for the Cullentra team but became a non-runner just a couple of hours after being declared in error.

Of the remainder, Churchstonewarrior has place credentials on the pick of his form, but needs to jump better than last time at Thurles. While Amirite was also let down by his jumping at times when a respectable third of four finishers in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase last month.

Townend expects step up in trip to favour Gaillard Du Mesnil

Paul Townend and Willie Mullins teamed up to win this race with Monkfish on his way to Cheltenham Festival success two seasons ago, and the pair look to be in the driving seat again this time around with Gaillard Du Mesnil.

Joe and Marie Donnelly's representative has been placed at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and enters his next assignment at Leopardstown priced between 2-1 and 11-4 favourite for the National Hunt Chase and between 10-1 and 14-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

Townend is looking forward to stepping back up to three miles with the battle-hardened novice, who proved effective up to as far as three miles and five furlongs last term.

Paul Townend on Gaillard Du Mesnil: 'Stepping up to three miles can only bring about improvement here'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He ran a cracker behind Mighty Potter in the Drinmore on his first run of the season," said Townend. "Stepping up to three miles can only bring about improvement here."

Speaking on his Ladbrokes-sponsored blog, Townend added: "Three Stripe Life could be the forgotten one out of the Drinmore. He made a bad mistake and all but got rid of Davy Russell and was pulled up after that.

"It's interesting that they put a tongue strap on him for the first time but with the benefit of a run under our belt, I am hoping our horse can land a [first] win over chases. He has a lot of experience over these horses."

His likely biggest rival, Three Stripe Life, is quoted between 15-2 and 10-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as being priced from 6-1 to 10-1 for the Turners Novices' Chase.

What they say

Jonathan Sweeney, trainer of Churchstonewarrior
He seems to be in good form and we're happy with him going there. It's a strong race and we should know more about where we stand with him after this.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Frontal Assault and Three Stripe Life
Frontal Assault has a bit to find on ratings but his experience should be a help to him in novice company. He's got some good form over staying trips. It was unfortunate that we didn't get to see how Three Stripe Life would have fared in the Drinmore after having to pull up. We're looking forward to seeing how he gets on over three miles.

Oliver McKiernan, trainer of Unexpected Depth
He's probably a bit out of his depth in this sort of race but I didn't see anything else that was completely suitable coming up so we'll let him take his chance. He's ready to run.

Read Thursday's previews:

1.10 Leopardstown: Mares' Hurdle runner-up Queens Brook out to book her festival ticket in style

2.20 Leopardstown: State Man v Sharjah v Vauban - who comes out on top in a magic Matheson?

2.40 Doncaster: can Gesskille make amends after twice finishing second over the National fences?

3.10 Doncaster: 'This is her season's target' - who's in hot pursuit of the £75,000 Silver Vase?

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