De Bromhead and Blackmore seeking back-to-back wins in Red Mills Chase

2.54 Gowran Park
Red Mills Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTV

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, successful with Monalee 12 months ago, are represented by Chris's Dream as they seek back-to-back wins in the 2m4f Grade 2 Red Mills Chase.

Withdrawn from the Irish Gold Cup two weeks ago due to unsuitable ground, Chris's Dream holds entries in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ryanair Chase and Grand National and will be making his first appearance since landing the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan by nine and a half lengths in November.

De Bromhead said: "Chris's Dream is in good form. He likes testing ground and, although he's probably more a three-miler than a two-and-a-half-mile horse, that's the card we've been dealt. We're very happy with him and hoping for a good run."

The opposition includes Real Steel, a dual Grade 2 winner this season, most recently by 14 lengths in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles last month.

"Real Steel is having a good season and seems to be improving all the time," trainer Willie Mullins said.

Gordon Elliott is represented by Death Duty, a Grade 1-winning novice chaser in 2017 who was off the track for more than two years before returning over hurdles at Gowran last month, and Shattered Love, the 2018 JLT Novices' Chase winner who finished third behind Al Boum Photo at Tramore last month and who wears cheekpieces for the first time.

Elliott said: "It was great to get Death Duty back on the track last month. I was happy with his run. He worked really well during the week and seems to be coming back to himself. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on back over fences.

"Shattered Love has been running against the best since winning at Clonmel in November. She seems in good form and should run well again."

Snow Falcon, winner of the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase over the course and distance in October, and Tout Est Permis, reverting to fences after three runs over hurdles, represent Noel Meade, while the Pat Doyle-trained Kaiser Black returns to action after a 342-day absence.

Darasso faces Cilaos Emery in Trial

Darasso, who is entered for the Unibet Champion Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase, faces four rivals including Cilaos Emery as he bids for a repeat win in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old is also declared for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday and trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "The plan is to run at Gowran and see what happens. Darasso is in good form and will like the testing ground."

Cilaos Emery could enter the Champion Hurdle picture depending on how he fares following a first-fence fall at Leopardstown two weeks ago when seeking a fourth consecutive win over fences.

The eight-year-old, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles as a novice, last ran over hurdles when second in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown in December 2017.

Mengli Khan represents Gordon Elliott, who said: "It was much more like it from Mengli Khan last time at Naas. He was more enthusiastic there. If he brings the same sort of attitude to Gowran I could see him running well."

Completing the five-runner line-up are the James Nash-trained Scheu Time and Keith Watson's Chateau Conti.

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