Cheltenham winners A Plus Tard and Duc Des Genievres clash in Fortria Chase

2.10 Navan
thetote.com Fortria Chase (Grade 2) | 5yo+| 2m | RTV

Duc Des Genievres

Willie Mullins is slowly unleashing his stable stars and Duc Des Genievres, a Cheltenham hero in March when he landed the Racing Post Arkle by 13 lengths, is the latest to make his return in this thetote.com-sponsored Grade 2.

Paul Townend’s mount will be making his first appearance since finishing third at the Punchestown festival in May behind stablemate Chacun Pour Soi and will be attempting to give trainer Mullins a fourth win in the race, with Annfield Lady (1994), Micko’s Dream (2001) and Twinlight (2014) his three previous successes.

Speaking on Saturday, Townend said: "Duc Des Genievres was very impressive in the Arkle. That win was on soft ground so conditions should suit him.

"It's a nice race to start his campaign and should tell us where he will slot in this season."

Pros Obvious chance on form. Trip and ground will suit

Cons Difficult to fault unless lack of a run tells against him

A Plus Tard

Duc Des Genievres is not the only Cheltenham Festival winner among the classy Fortria field as A Plus Tard makes his comeback for the prolific combination of Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, although he tackles the shortest trip of his young and highly promising career.

A Plus Tard gave Rachael Blackmore her first Cheltenham Festival winner in MarchCredit: Patrick McCann

A 16-length winner of the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in March when giving Blackmore her first festival success, the five-year-old, who sports the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, is dropping in trip for his first outing since finishing third behind Delta Work in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in April over 3m1½f.

A Plus Tard beat Duc Des Genievres over the course last season, albeit over three furlongs further than this 2m encounter, and De Bromhead said of the dual chase winner: “A Plus Tard is in good form and ready to start. He’s dropping in distance but we think he’s probably better going left-handed so this looked a suitable race.”

Pros Only five so every reason to believe he can build on what he achieved last season

Cons All his runs over fences have been over longer distances

Ballyoisin

Winner of the race a year ago, the Enda Bolger-trained Ballyoisin will be attempting to become the fourth horse to win the event more than once. Moscow Flyer and Flemenstar were dual winners of the Fortria, while Big Zeb won the race three times in a row between 2009 and 2011.

Ballyoisin won the race last year for trainer Enda BolgerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The winner of seven of his 14 races over fences, Ballyoisin is reverts to the chasing after two spins over hurdles at Listowel and Tipperary, finishing last of six and beaten 70 lengths on the most recent occasion.

Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said of the eight-year-old: “Things didn’t happen for him over hurdles at Tipperary last time, but he’s in good form and we’re hoping going back over fences will suit. However, it looks a hotter race than when he won last year.”

Pros Multiple winner over fences and hurdles and seeking a tenth victory

Cons More on his plate than when winning a year ago and ground likely to be more testing than ideal

Hardline and Doctor Phoenix

Gordon Elliott landed this €45,000 pot with Clarcam two years ago and is doubly reprsented this time with Hardline and Doctor Phoenix.

Hardline, a Grade 1 winner at Limerick last season, has course form courtesy of a Grade 3 victory in December. Elliott said: “Hardline is in good order and he takes his chance, although he looks to have it all to do based on the ratings.”

At the age of 11, Doctor Phoenix is the old man of the party and steps back into Graded company after an underwhelming return last month. Elliott said: “Doctor Phoenix was very disappointing at Cork last time and it’s hard to make a case for him. He still has ability, though.”

Hardline

Pros A solid performer who has finished out of the first three only once in seven starts over fences

Cons Facing a stiff task at the weights

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