John Ryan trio take aim at topweight Fan De Blues in Grade B handicap chase

Sunday: 4.50 Cork
Co-Op Superstores Handicap Chase (Grade B) | 2m1½f | 4yo+| RTV

This could prove an astute piece of placing from the Willie Mullins camp with recent Ballinrobe scorer Fan De Blues hunting a lucrative €45,000 pot.

According to Racing Post Ratings, the versatile seven-year-old put up a career best when winning decisively on his most recent start, but the handicapper has left him unchanged on a mark of 141.

The Grade 3-winning novice chaser of last season still tops the weights, but he could make his class count and he arrives here in fine form, having previously finished third in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.

John Ryan could pose the biggest challenge with three challengers. Kitty Galore, runner-up to Jeremys Flame at Galway last week, looks the pick of his team, although Ferdia is entitled to be on the premises off a mark of 127.

What they say

Anthony Bromley, racing manger to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, owners of Fan De Blues
He's always threatened to win one of these good handicaps. I'm not sure the trip is ideal but the team seem happy with him.

Ross O'Sullivan, trainer of Vado Forte and Bythesametoken
Vado Forte should appreciate dropping back in trip as he didn't seem to get home over further at Galway last time. Bythesametoken didn't run badly at Listowel last time and hopefully that might help get his confidence back after a fall at Leopardstown two runs before that. Fan De Blues is probably going to be hard to beat but we'd be delighted if we could pick up some prize-money.

Louise Lyons, trainer of Espion Du Chenet
He had reached the point of needing a break after his last start at Galway so we've freshened him up since. He might need the run but seems to be in good form.

John Ryan, trainer of The Dara Man, Ferdia and Kitty Galore
The Dara Man has already won a Grade B handicap chase this season at Killarney. I think Ferdia is a very underrated horse – he's very good on his day. He would have been bang there in the Grade 3 novice chase at Punchestown last Wednesday but for getting in tight to the fourth-last. Kitty Galore is an even better mare this year than 12 months ago and she ran very well at Galway last time. With the rain coming, I think it might just swing things in her favour.

Mick Winters, trainer of Pythion
He's a lovely horse and seemed to really enjoy himself over fences last time at Killarney. We've got a low weight [of ten stone] but he wouldn't like the ground getting too soft – he's not always seen out two miles overly strong. We'd be very happy if he was able to take home some of the prize-money.

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