'He has a great chance on ratings' - Grade 1 winner Fury Road makes seasonal bow

Saturday: 3.07 Down Royal
Eventsec Chase (Grade 2) | 2m3½f | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Provided he can cope with a shorter-than-ideal trip and is sufficiently sharp after a 193-day absence, Fury Road rates the one to beat as he takes on just three rivals for his seasonal return.

Representing Gordon Elliott, who has previously struck in this race with Don Cossack and Battleoverdoyen, Fury Road boasts a rating of 155 – the highest on offer here – but must give weight away to all rivals.

His Grade 1 success at last season's Leopardstown Christmas festival came over 3m – and his best run since came over 3m1f at Aintree when second to Ahoy Senor in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase – so he can't afford to be overly ring-rusty at 2m3½f.

These race conditions largely suit the Gigginstown-owned eight-year-old, though.

Gavin Cromwell on Vanillier: 'This will be all about getting him to produce a nice round of jumping'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He's rated 8lb superior to 2021 Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier but concedes just 4lb to that rival, who connections hope will jump more fluently this season after undergoing surgery to treat a kissing spines issue.

Best treated at the weights is the Willie Mullins-trained Fighter Allen, Envoi Allen's 144-rated half-brother. He receives a stone from Fury Road but consistency hasn't been his strong suit.

Delvino, the only mare in the line-up, got the better of Grand Sefton contender Lifetime Ambition when last seen winning a Grade 3 novice chase at Naas in March, and another career-best is required for her to plunder this prize.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Fury Road
He's working well at home and has a great chance on ratings. The trip probably isn't ideal but it is what it is and hopefully he'll run well.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Vanillier
We think he's in good nick heading into this season and this will be all about getting him to produce a nice round of jumping. It's a trip short of his optimum but I think soft ground here might be ideal for him as he doesn't want it too deep.

Fighter Allen: out to record his second success over fencesCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Townend, rider of Fighter Allen
He got a nice confidence boost at Tramore on his second last start in April before falling at the first in a competitive handicap at the Punchestown festival. Overall, he's a consistent jumper and doesn't seem any the worse for that fall. On ratings, he actually comes out quite well. It's his first run since Punchestown so that is a worry in terms of seeing how far along Willie's horses are at this time of year. It's early enough for him to have one out.

Dermot McLoughlin, trainer of Delvino
It's a very competitive race but we're hoping she can run a nice race for her first start of the season. She seems in good form and I don't think the rain will do her any harm as she keeps galloping.

Saturday's British and Irish previews:

1.50 Wincanton: 'The handicapper has given him a chance' - can Frodon carry off another big win?

2.11 Aintree: Could the Topham prove the key to the Grand Sefton once again?

2.32 Down Royal: Ladbrokes Champion Chase: 'He has race fitness on his side' - Elliott on Galvin

3.00 Wincanton: Can Sceau Royal land a fourth Elite Hurdle and make the race his own?

3.13 Doncaster: Can beautifully bred Israr strike another blow for the Classic generation?

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