'He'll come on a hell of a lot for that run' - who is expecting a big display?

Sunday: 1.35 Fairyhouse
Baroneracing.com Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

The star names roll off the tongue. Sound Man, Dorans Pride, Alexander Banquet, Don Cossack, Delta Work and Envoi Allen are just some of those to have dazzled in the Drinmore, which has been the springboard for some of the best chasers Ireland has produced.

Whether there is a superstar in this year's line-up is debatable but what we have got is an extremely competitive race in which cases can be made for almost every one of the runners. Even the mare Global Equity, the outsider of the party, looked smart at Galway.

Gabynako has been shading favouritism all week and market leaders have a very good record in the race, winning three of the last four runnings. Indeed, nine of the last ten winners have been 7-2 or shorter, the exception being Coney Island, who won at 8-1 in 2016.

Gabynako was a decent 139-rated hurdler but he looks like he will surpass that level over fences judging by the way he jumped when winning a beginners' chase on the inside track at Fairyhouse this month. That was a flawless round of jumping and beating Fury Road by an eased-down two and a quarter lengths earned him an RPR of 149. A reproduction of that performance will make him hard to beat.

Lifetime Ambition reached a rating of only 125 over hurdles and took six goes to get his head in front over obstacles. He completed a hat-trick on his first start over fences when winning what is often a red-hot beginners' chase at Down Royal, won by Samcro and Envoi Allen.

Lifetime Ambition: completed his hat-trick at Down RoyalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

He was too good for Beacon Edge there, but the 158-rated hurdler still showed promise and it wouldn't be the biggest shock if the form was reversed. If this were a hurdle race, he would be favourite.

The Gordon Elliott-trained pair – Fury Road and Grand Paradis – have chances, while Cape Gentleman has some vital experience. Of those at bigger prices, Fire Attack could be dangerous if he settles.

Elliott dreaming of seventh Drinmore

Gordon Elliott celebrated his first top-level success when Jessies Dream did the business under Timmy Murphy in this race in 2010 and he is the most successful trainer in its history with six victories.

He also struck with Don Cossack (2013), No More Heroes (2015), Death Duty (2017), Delta Work (2018) and Envoi Allen (2020) but can either Fury Road or Grand Paradis add their names to that list?

Fury Road is a 153-rated hurdler bidding to reverse the form with Gabynako and Elliott thinks we will see a much-improved effort here.

The trainer said: "Fury Road was a very good staying hurdler and I thought he ran well first time out over fences. I'd say he'll come on a hell of a lot for that run and you'll hopefully see a different horse on Sunday. It's an open race and he looks to have a decent chance."

On Grand Paradis, who fell in the race Lifetime Ambition won at Down Royal, he added: "He travelled nicely for a long way last time and looked the most likely winner for a while there. He was just getting a little bit tired when he came down at the second-last. He just skidded at the back of the fence. He's a nice horse."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Bleu Berry
He’ll have to improve on his run at Cork last time but this track might suit him better. He isn’t out of this if he's at his best.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Cape Gentleman
He was up against it at Punchestown when giving weight away to Gordon's mare [Riviere D'Etel] who looks potentially quite smart. Hopefully she didn't take too much out of him that day and, if she didn't, I think he has a chance.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Fire Attack, Midnight Run and Global Equity
Fire Attack won his beginners' chase nicely last time and this has been the plan since. Any rain would help his cause. Global Equity is in good form after winning at Galway and it would be fantastic if she could finish in the first three. Midnight Run ran well in a good beginners' chase last time and he bumps into a few of them again here. If he jumps a bit better, he could get closer to the principals.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Gabynako
He was impressive at Fairyhouse last time, but it looks like another really competitive field. If he can put in a round of jumping like he did at Fairyhouse last time he should have a real live chance.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Lifetime Ambition
I was obviously thrilled with him at Down Royal where he jumped brilliantly. This is obviously going to be much tougher, but I've been delighted with him since Down Royal and he's in great form.

Read more Fairyhouse previews:

1.05 Fairyhouse: 'We were very impressed with him' - will My Mate Mozzie be the punters' pal?

2.40 Fairyhouse: Return of the queen: get Henry de Bromhead's thoughts on Honeysuckle

3.10 Fairyhouse: 'He comes in on a nice weight' - Willie Mullins has five for valuable handicap

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