Can Mighty Potter fend off the mighty Mullins battalion in Grade 1?

Mighty Potter was spectacular when winning the Drinmore on his previous start and he can take another step up the ladder by shrugging off a frightening Willie Mullins quintet in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase.

The six-year-old boasted some smart form over hurdles last season when beating the likes of Three Stripe Life and Sir Gerhard, and he has taken to fences in impressive fashion. He took an alarming risk when not getting very high at three out at Fairyhouse, but was neat at the second-last and electric at the last.

He travelled like a proper top-class horse throughout the contest and comfortably held off the re-opposing Gaillard Du Mesnil. A drying surface should pose no problems for him as he proved in Punchestown last year when landing the 2m½f Grade 1 novice hurdle on good ground and another impressive showing could be on the cards that will solidify him at the head of the market for the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins is throwing five darts at this race, headed by both Gaillard Du Mesnil and James Du Berlais. The former is dropping back in trip here and has been highly touted for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, although the Brown Advisory remains a viable option. He won a Grade 1 over three miles at this track over Christmas and is the most experienced of the field with seven chase starts.

In contrast, James Du Berlais is lightly raced for the Closutton stable having only had three runs for the outfit since March 2021. This is his second start over fences after impressing over this trip at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day.

Gaillard Du Mesnil is the choice of Paul Townend and his experience, given he is a second-season novice, is a benefit, but the slight drop back in trip on drying ground is likely to count against him.

James Du Berlais is a horse of immense promise and is completely unexposed for Willie Mullins, but his best form, including when in France, has been on a softer surface than what he is likely to encounter here.

Gaillard Du Mesnil: the choice of Paul TownendCredit: Patrick McCann

Kilcruit was disappointing last time when behind Gerri Colombe at Limerick and consistency seems to be his issue, while Adamantly Chosen could run a nice race on ground that will suit.

I Am Maximus is the outsider of the field and his jumping leaves a lot to be desired, particularly in this sort of company.

'We always said fences would be the making of him'

Mighty Potter is aiming for the fourth Grade 1 of his career in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase and the six-year-old showed at Fairyhouse last time that he is destined to make his mark over fences, and he looks to give Gordon Elliott his first win in this race.

He was a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, landing the Future Champions Novice at Leopardstown before finishing off the season in style by winning the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown at odds of 20-1.

His performance in the lashing rain at Fairyhouse looked sensational, he is versatile regarding ground and has won a Grade 1 at the track over hurdles. He is very hard to knock and this could be the first leg in a profitable spring campaign for him.

Elliott said: "Mighty Potter has done absolutely nothing wrong since we sent him over fences and you'd have to be delighted with the way he won the Drinmore. We always said fences would be the making of him and it certainly looks that way. Everything has gone well in the lead-up to the race and we're looking forward to it."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Adamantly Chosen, Gaillard Du Mesnil, I Am Maximus, James Du Berlais and Kilcuit
Paul [Townend] has picked Gaillard Du Mesnil. He won over three miles at Christmas and is dropping back three furlongs here and it might be a little difficult for him against the likes of Mighty Potter and James Du Berlais. Even though James Du Berlais has only run in one chase, he has a lot of experience over French hurdles, and I was very taken by his win at Fairyhouse last time. I Am Maximus has a lot more ability than he’s shown us so far but the last twice he’s found himself in front and hasn’t enjoyed that, he was running around all over the place. I’ll imagine we’ll see a change of tactics here with Danny holding him up and taking a lead. I think the trip will suit Kilcruit  and he jumps well enough. Adamantly Chosen might prefer better ground.

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Upping The Ante star Johnny Dineen joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the key horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.