Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly the key angle to top handicap chase

TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase | 2m5½f | 5yo+ | RTV

Where else do you start other than with Anibale Fly, the horse who chased home Al Boum Photo in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Anibale Fly has been well below his best in three starts at the highest level this season and Tony Martin has dropped his stable star back into handicap company in a bid to get him firing, but will it do the trick?

The one thing Anibale Fly loves is a test of stamina and, while the ground coming up testing will be in his favour, some doubts persist about whether he can be as effective over 2m5½f as he is at Gold Cup or Grand National trips.

Tony Martin: trainer of Anibale FlyCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

He may be the class act in this but on this season's form, and with doubts over the trip, it could prove best to look elsewhere.

Poker Party is next in off 11st and, while the drop in trip probably is not ideal for Henry de Bromhead's runner either, he boasts solid claims.

Winner of the Kerry National, Poker Party was last seen finishing fourth in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Entered in the Randox Health Grand National, he rates as a potential improver and one who could make a bold bid from the front.

Mortal chased home Delta Work in a Grade 1 novice chase at the track last season but jumping has been an issue for him since.

If he could brush up on that aspect of his game, he could get involved under talented 7lb claimer Oakley Brown while Moonshine Bay should be all the better for a recent comeback.

Tikkanen Express got 6lb for a hard-fought win at Thurles ten days ago but it is not inconceivable that he could be open to more improvement and the step up in trip will play to his strengths in what looks a wide-open race.

What the stats say

Woods Well won this valuable prize 12 months ago but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since. Without a win in six starts subsequently after last year’s triumph, Woods Well races off a 5lb lower mark and blinkers have been fitted for the first time in an effort to reignite the spark.

Anibale Fly bids to carry top weight to victory, which has been done only once in the past decade, by Mr Diablo in 2017.

In terms of the market, this race is prone to throwing up the odd surprise or two. Woods Well went off 14-1 last term, while only two favourites have obliged in the last ten years.

Gordon Elliott: trainer won this race last year with Woods WellCredit: Patrick McCann

What they say

Tony Martin, trainer of Anibale Fly
It's a drop in class for him. He seems to be well at home and hopefully he can come back to his old form. He's very well in himself at the moment so hopefully we'll see a bit of a spark.

Eddie O'Leary, racing manager to Gigginstown House Stud, owners of Mortal, Woods Well and Gun Digger
Mortal is quite a nice horse but he needs to jump a bit better to get involved. Woods Well won this race last year for us but I'm not sure if he's the same horse this year. The same applies to Gun Digger.

James Dullea, trainer of Tikkanen Express
He's in great form and came out of Thurles in good order. I think the step up in trip will suit as will the track and the ground. Obviously it's very competitive with Anibale Fly, Poker Party and a few more in it, but we're very hopeful of a big run from him.

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