Gordon Elliott banking on Delta Work bouncing back in Champion Novice Chase

Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 5yo+ | 3m½f | RTV & RTE

Delta Work was favourite on Monday to return to winning ways after a fine run at the Cheltenham Festival last month, when he was beaten just over two lengths and finished third behind Topofthegame in the RSA Chase.

Unbeaten in his three chase efforts before that, including twice at the highest level, Delta Work bids to get back on track and confirm himself a leading prospect over fences for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud.

"It was always the plan to come back to Punchestown after he ran at Cheltenham," said Elliott. "He ran well at the Punchestown festival as a novice hurdler last year so we know he likes the track. The ground should be ideal for him and I'm hoping he can end his season on a high."

A plus effort needed as Tard steps up in trip

A Plus Tard, who blew his Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase rivals away at Cheltenham, winning by 16 lengths for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, will be tackling three miles for the first time.

Raised 16lb to a mark of 160 in Ireland following that impressive performance, A Plus Tard is the highest-rated horse in the field, 1lb above Delta Work.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, who own the five-year-old, said: "He's stepping up in trip but the way he finished at Cheltenham, running on well up the hill, it looked as if three miles would suit. Henry is very happy with him and he looks great."

De Bromhead will also be represented by Chris’s Dream.

A Plus Tard: went up a whopping 16lb for his impressive success at CheltenhamCredit: Mark Cranham

Getabird takes flight

Getabird looked a natural on his chasing debut when slamming the reopposing Articulum at Punchestown in December, but the Willie Mullins-trained runner has not been seen since getting turned over at 8-15 in a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick later that month.

His owner Rich Ricci is hoping for a return to form and said: "We had high hopes for Getabird early in the season. He did something to himself when he ran at Limerick after Christmas and it's great to have him back.

Rich Ricci on Getabird: 'I'm hoping for a big run and that he might fulfill the promise he showed early in the season.'Credit: Patrick McCann

"I'm hoping for a big run and that he might fulfil the promise he showed early in the season."

Nolan says Discorama is 'no snail'

Paul Nolan is hoping patience pays off with stable star Discorama. He opted not to risk the National Hunt Chase runner-up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse because of good ground and is hoping for a downpour.

Nolan said: "I hope there's a bit of rain. Even still, you don’t know how he’ll be after the gruelling race he had at Cheltenham, but he seems fine and we’re very happy to run."

Paul Nolan: praying for rain ahead of the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase, in which he runs stable star DiscoramaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Asked if he was surprised to see Discorama chalked up at 20-1, Nolan added: "I am. I suppose the bookies are taking into account the ground, and maybe they feel the whole thing might happen a little fast for him.

"He wasn’t beaten out of sight or anything in the Drinmore, when the ground was a bit quick for him, so he’s not a snail, but at the end of the day quicker ground would take him out of his comfort zone a little.

"The slower the ground, the better his chance. It’s a very good race but if the ground came up on the soft side I’d be hopeful of a big run."

Winter is coming

Winter Escape made a bright start to life with Aidan Howard, winning three on the bounce, including a pair of Grade 3s, in the latest of which he had over two lengths to spare from A Plus Tard, despite giving that rival a stone.

However, Winter Escape has since tasted defeat at Leopardstown, where he was reported to have burst blood vessels, and he could manage only third behind Voix Du Reve in the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse earlier this month.

Frank Berry on Winter Escape: 'It’s a very hot contest and he has it all to do'Credit: Caroline Norris

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Winter Escape, said: "He had a problem at Christmas and was a bit disappointing in the Ryanair Gold Cup, but he seems in good form. It’s a very hot contest and he has it all to do but we’re hoping he runs well."

Articulum needs to bring A-game

Articulum produced a career-best when finishing a staying-on third in the Arkle at Cheltenham and his trainer Terence O'Brien is hopeful the nine-year-old will handle the step up in trip.

O’Brien said: "He’s in good form but whether he’s in as good form as he was going to Cheltenham, I’m not 100 per cent sure.

Articulum: will be stepping up in tripCredit: Caroline Norris

"The trip is a bit of an unknown but he’s won his point-to-point and two heavy-ground bumpers so you’d imagine he’ll stay – there’s only one way of finding out and that’s to run him.

"We’re throwing the dart and seeing where it lands – hopefully we hit the target."

Drover out to spring a surprise

Representing Britain is the Rebecca Curtis-trained Drovers Lane, who finished sixth in the RSA Chase last time.

Drovers Lane won three of his first four starts over fences but has improvement to find to get the better of Delta Work, who finished well in front of him in the RSA, though conditions should suit him better here.

Drovers Lane: represents Rebecca Curtis at PunchestownCredit: Mark Cranham

His trainer said: "The ground was too soft for him at Cheltenham but he still ran well for a long way. He goes well fresh and has had a six-week break, and is in great form. Hopefully the ground will be better for him."

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