Mullins mob-handed with eight in pursuit of second Paddy Power Chase win

Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV & RTE2

With eight of the 31 possibles housed at Closutton, Willie Mullins will have good reason to be hopeful heading into this ultra-competitive €200,000 handicap chase.

Then again, this is a race that is rarely run to script and Ireland’s champion trainer knows that better than most, having managed to land the prize just once when Rockyaboya triumphed in 2013.

The early cash has been for British raider No Comment, trained by Philip Hobbs for JP McManus, whose green and gold hoops have been carried to victory in three of the past four runnings.

No Comment is among eight definites and two reserves in the mix for McManus, although it’s worth bearing in mind that only one favourite has been successful in the past decade.

What they say

Aidan Howard, trainer of Winter Escape
He's got a big enough weight but Simon [Torrens] is one of the best 7lb claimers and gets on great with him. Hopefully with a bit of nicer ground he can run well.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Monbeg Notorious, General Principle, Roaring Bull and Gun Digger
Monbeg Notorious might prefer more of a stamina test and it looks as though he has his work cut out. General Principle looked as though he was in the process of running a big race before being pulled up at Fairyhouse and hopefully the step back in trip will suit him. Roaring Bull did a bit too much last time and if he settles he could run a nice race. Gun Digger has been struggling for a while now and looks up against it.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Poker Party, Plan Of Attack and Solomn Grundy
They’re all in good form. Poker Party has a penalty for winning the Kerry National but we couldn’t be happier with him. It’s very much the same story for the three of them – they’re all in great shape and we’re looking forward to the race.

Poker Party (right) on his way to victory in the Kerry National in SeptemberCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Noel Meade, trainer of Minella Fair, Cap York and Killer Miller
The ground couldn’t be soft enough for Killer Miller and it's the same for Minella Fair. When the emphasis is on stamina, he’ll be at his best. It’s the opposite for Cap York, who appreciates a bit of better ground. All three of them stay very well.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Fitzhenry and Quamino
Fitzhenry had a great run in the Troytown and the more rain, the better for him. It would be in his favour if it was soft. It’s a great pot and hopefully he can run well. Quamino loves Leopardstown but we’re stepping him right up in trip. He won over two miles here last season and we’re stepping him right up to three [miles] but he’s on a nice weight and hopefully he’ll give Bryan [Cooper] a good spin.

Dermot McLoughlin, trainer of Freewheelin Dylan
We wouldn't want it any softer than it is for him. Having said that, he's in great nick and won well at Punchestown, after which we put him away for this race with the thinking being Leopardstown would be one of the drier tracks. If the rain stays away, we're hopeful he'll go close.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of No Comment
The step back up to three miles will hopefully suit him well. He should have an each-way chance in an open-looking race.

Tom Mullins, trainer of Spider Web and Scoir Mear
Spider Web is well and hopefully he'll run well. Scoir Mear is the second reserve and it's more or less the same with him – we'd be hopeful. The ground won't be an excuse for either of them.

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