Bachasson and Death Duty lock horns in intriguing conditions chase

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This five-runner conditions chase at a crowdless Clonmel couldn't be more different to what Bachasson experienced a fortnight ago at the Cheltenham Festival but he rates the most interesting runner in a competitive contest.

It's just 13 days since the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old finished sixth in the 25-runner Coral Cup and this assignment will be his first start over fences since falling at the second in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup won by Native River.

The O'Connell family's versatile performer went to Cheltenham that season off the back of two taking Listed wins over fences and held a mark of 159 in this sphere.

With that mind, he obviously makes plenty of appeal here if maintaining the same level of ability over the larger obstacles.

Death Duty: seeking a first success since the 2017 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Death Duty, the mount of Gavin Brouder, competes off level weights with Bachasson, and trainer Gordon Elliott will have been pleased to got three runs into his talented but injury-hit campaigner since the end of January, and he has found improvement with every start.

Death Duty left his Galmoy Hurdle return behind when not disgraced behind Chris's Dream in the Red Mills Chase and the market appeared to expect a strong showing from him when sent off an 8-1 chance at the Cheltenham Festival in the Stable Plate.

His midfield finish in a messy race was a solid enough effort and he shouldn't be far away from Bachasson if this race doesn't come too soon.

Mortal: not ideally treated by the race conditions at Clonmel on TuesdayCredit: Patrick McCann

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Mortal isn't well treated at the weights, as he is officially rated 3lb inferior to Death Duty but is forced to give 6lb to that rival, Bachasson and Bonbon Au Miel.

However, he is capable when producing his best, as demonstrated in last year's RSA Chase when fifth, and he should be on the premises to pick up the pieces if the leading pair fail to fire.

Bonbon Au Miel was entitled to need the run when pulling up in the Leinster National earlier this month, his first start since falling in the 2018 RSA Chase behind Presenting Percy.

He surely needs to up his game, as does does Jessica Harrington's recent Gowran winner Discordantly, who looks to have a tough task on his hands giving weight to rivals he is rated inferior to.

What the stats say

Willie Mullins is seeking a third consecutive success in this race and will aim to continue an excellent season at Clonmel, as he is operating at a 48 per cent strike-rate during the 2019-20 campaign.

What the trainers say

Patrick Mullins, assistant to Willie Mullins, trainer of Bachasson and Bonbon Au Miel
Bachasson ran a cracker off a big weight in the Coral Cup on his second start after a long layoff. I was riding him on the day and we probably ended up a bit far back off a slow pace but he jumped well, ran great and came out of the race fine. I'd be hoping he can be competitive wherever he goes for the rest of the season. Bonbon Au Miel is a big, heavy horse who is probably going to need his first few runs. Hopefully he can stay in one piece and get back to his best.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Death Duty
We haven't done much with him since Cheltenham but he seems in good form. We're claiming 7lb off him with Gavin Brouder so he looks to be fairly treated at the weights. With the uncertainty around how long racing will go ahead for we said we'd let him take his chance.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Discordantly
It was good to get his head in front last time and we're happy to get another run into him here with the current unknowns around what lies ahead.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mortal
He ran well last time at Leopardstown but this looks quite a hot race. He's in good shape, though, and hopefully he can run well.

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