Harrington the only obstacle to another Gigginstown strike in Champion Chase

2.30 Down Royal
JNwine.com Champion Chase | Grade 1 | 5yo+ | 3m | ATR

Gigginstown House Stud versus Jessica Harrington. That's the long and the short of Saturday’s JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, the first Grade 1 of the jumps season and a race Gigginstown has dominated in recent years.

The O’Leary brothers' powerful operation has been successful in the three-mile contest – first run in 1999 – on six occasions, and with five of the seven runners Gigginstown will be strongly fancied to enjoy a sixth consecutive win in the race.

Balko Des Flos, winner of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March, Road To Respect, runner-up in this contest a year ago and who was supplemented this time round at a cost of €14,000, and Don Poli will all be making their seasonal reappearance.

Outlander, successful in the contest 12 months ago, and Sub Lieutenant, a nine-length winner at Punchestown last month, complete Gigginstown's awesome quintet.

Balko Des Flos – the mount of Rachael Blackmore – and Sub Lieutenant are both with Henry de Bromhead, who landed the prize with Valseur Lido two years ago.

De Bromhead said: “This race has been the plan for Balko Des Flos. He was declared to run at Gowran Park last month but we took him out as we thought the ground was a bit quick for his first run of the season.

"He seems in good form and we’re looking forward to starting him back."

The trainer added: “It was great to see Sub Lieutenant win so well at Punchestown. He was back to his best there and he’s been in good form since."

Bryan Cooper, successful aboard Don Cossack three years ago, rides Sub Lieutenant.

Outlander proved no match for Sub Lieutenant in the Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown last month, but Gordon Elliott believes the ten-year-old has benefited from the run.

Outlander: bidding for back-to-back winsCredit: Patrick McCann

"He's in good nick and has definitely come on since Punchestown," the trainer said.

"He won the race last year and should again go well. If he runs in the first three we'll be happy."

He added: "Don Poli has been off the track a long time and hopefully they'll get the rain that's forecast."

Outlander will be attempting to emulate Beef Or Salmon and Kauto Star, the only dual winners of the race.

Road To Respect ran Outlander to half a length 12 months ago before going on to win the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Chase and finishing fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Absent since running third in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April, Sean Flanagan's mount is pleasing trainer Noel Meade, who said: "Road To Respect is in tremendous form. I couldn't be happier with him and we're looking forward to the race."

Two against the field

Harrington takes on the might of Gigginstown with Woodland Opera and Sandymount Duke, and she acknowledges the pair face a tough task.

Harrington said: "We're surrounded by Gigginstown horses and I suppose we're up against it, but both of ours are in good form and I'm happy with them.

"Woodland Opera has won his last three races and was very good last time when winning a Grade 2 chase by ten lengths at Gowran Park. He's a course winner over hurdles at the distance and the ground will suit him.

"Sandymount Duke found conditions too quick at Punchestown last time and ground on the easy side of good should help him."

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