McManus mob-handed in bid for fourth Paddy Power Chase in seven years

3.00 Leopardstown
Paddy Power Chase (Grade B) | 5yo+ | 3m½f | RTE2/ATR

As is often the case in Ireland's valuable handicap chases, the 28-runner-up line-up for this €200,000 contest is dominated by the big-name operators.

JP McManus, whose colours have been carried to victory in three of the last six runnings, fields a huge team of ten with the pick of his squad potentially being Navan winner De Name Escapes Me, Any Second Now, Blazer and the veteran multiple Grade 1 winner Carlingford Lough.

Gigginstown House Stud run five, including this year's Irish Grand National hero General Principle.

Gordon Elliott, successful with Noble Endeavor two years ago, is represented by six including French import Borice, who will be making his Irish debut with Davy Russell in the saddle.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins also runs six, including Livelovelaugh, the mount of Ruby Walsh.

Any Second Now steps up in trip for trainer Ted Walsh, who will be seeking a second win in the event which he won with Colbert Station six years ago.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Dounikos, General Principle, Squouateur, Woods Well, Borice and Rogue Angel
With the exception of Borice, who won three chases in France and is having his first run for us, our runners are all well-exposed. All of them are in good order but all of them, including Borice, would prefer easier ground. It's a huge prize and we're happy to let them take their chances.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Pairofbrowneyes, Polidam, Blazer, Livelovelaugh, Orion d'Aubrelle and Minella Beau

See column

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Jett
We're claiming 7lb off him which should give him a bit of a chance. He was topweight when he ran at Navan and didn't run badly as he was there until between the last two fences. He likes Leopardstown and will like the better ground.

Ted Walsh, trainer of Any Second Now
He's been disappointing and we're hoping that going up to three miles and blinkers might improve him. He'd prefer slower ground.

Noel Meade, trainer of De Name Escapes Me
He got a big penalty for his Navan win but without it he wouldn't have made the cut for this race. He's in very good form and as he's a good-moving horse good ground shouldn't be a problem.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Fitzhenry
He ran okay last time but he has done his winning on soft ground and he needs the ground to be softer. It's a big prize so we're letting him take his chance.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Solomn Grundy
He ran well last time and is in good form. That was his first run for us and he did everything right and just got nabbed halfway up the straight.

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