Conflated spearheads Gordon Elliott trio in bid for more Savills Chase glory

Wednesday: 2.20 Leopardstown
Savills Chase (Grade 1) | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTE2/RTV

Gordon Elliott has won three of the last six runnings of this €175,000 prize and his bid to enhance his stellar record has been made easier by the withdrawal of A Plus Tard on vet's advice.

Davy Russell was seen at his very best when guiding Galvin to victory in this race last year and when extracting the maximum from Conflated to plunder last season's Irish Gold Cup at this course, but fresh Leopardstown partnerships must be forged in the wake of his retirement.

Jack Kennedy was aboard Conflated when the much-improved stayer finished an encouraging third in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal, though the form of that Grade 1 received a knock when Envoi Allen bombed out in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Monday.

Elliott said: "Conflated is a very good horse on his day and seems to enjoy going left-handed. I was delighted with his run at Down Royal. It was his first start of the season after a break so hopefully he has come on plenty for the run; he had a good blow then."

Bright young talent Sam Ewing has been given the call-up to partner Galvin in Russell's absence.

Connections felt the Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth jumped better than ever when making it back-to-back wins in the Grade 3 Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown in October, but Ronnie Bartlett's staying stalwart failed to fire when a safely held fourth at Down Royal last month.

"Galvin was very good in this race last year so fingers crossed he can put up another nice performance," said Elliott.

"It didn't happen for him at Down Royal last time but he scoped dirty afterwards. Thankfully he seems to be back in good form and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Jordan Gainford, fresh from Grade 1 success at Limerick on Monday in the Faugheen Novice Chase aboard Gerri Colombe, partners Fury Road for the first time.

An official mark of 155 leaves him with a fair deal to find but he proved his wellbeing with a gritty Grade 2 success on his comeback over 2m3½f at Down Royal.

Elliott said: "Fury Road likes decent ground so hopefully that could suit him here. It was good to see him win on his first start back at Down Royal over a trip that probably wasn't ideal. We're hoping he'll acquit himself well."

Townend: Kemboy is better at Leopardstown than anywhere else

Kemboy makes his fifth consecutive appearance in this race and his rider Paul Townend believes the 2018 Savills Chase scorer is better at Leopardstown than anywhere else.

His record at this venue backs up that theory, with the ten-year-old boasting form figures of 21422135 at the Dublin track, including a first, second, third and fourth in the festive feature.

Improvement will be required from the four-time Grade 1 winner's latest outing at Down Royal when beaten a length and three-quarters by Envoi Allen, with Conflated two and three-quarters of a length behind in third.

"This is a hot race," said Townend, who will be bidding for his first win in the Savills Chase.

"He ran a cracker in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. His form around Leopardstown is brilliant and better there than any other track. He is consistent and will run his race."

Speaking in his Ladbrokes-sponsored blog, Townend added: "A Plus Tard comes back from a very disappointing run at Haydock. Conflated was good around here last season [in the Irish Gold Cup].

"When they go by Kemboy they will know about it. He's in great form at home and I'm looking forward to getting back on him at a track he loves. The less rain that falls will be a benefit."

Kemboy is one of three in the race for Willie Mullins, who can also call on Franco De Port, last seen finishing down the field in an Auteuil Grade 2 this month, and nine-time winner Royal Rendezvous, who makes his first start since landing a Punchestown festival handicap off a mark of 160 last spring.

Morris hoping Paddy Power Gold Cup second can go one better

Wednesday's feature represents a massive step up in class for French Dynamite, who was only denied by three-quarters of a length when bidding for a rare Irish victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month.

A winner of a 2m7f hurdle on his seasonal return at Thurles, the Robcour-owned seven-year-old is not expected to be found wanting for stamina, according to trainer Mouse Morris.

"It's a high-class race but we're hoping for a good run," said Morris, who has previously won the race with Cahervillahow (1990) and Foxchapel King (2001).

"He ran a cracker at Cheltenham last time. We're stepping up from two and a half miles and I think he'll stay the trip."

Wednesday's previews:

1.10 Leopardstown: Gordon Elliott saddles ten runners in Pertemps qualifier - but who's the pick?

1.45 Leopardstown: Can Bob Olinger earn poignant win for De Bromhead? Key Christmas Hurdle quotes

2.55 Leopardstown: Talented I Am Maximus out to follow in Galopin Des Champs' footsteps for Mullins

3.10 Leicester: Girl power: Dame Du Soir and Ile De Jersey bid to beat the boys in Silver Fox

Limerick: 'We have a lot of time for her' - chase debut for Mullins ace Allegorie De Vassy

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