Paddy Power Chase: essential insight for one of the season's hottest handicaps

Monday: 2.55 Leopardstown
Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade B)| 3m | 5yo+| 0-150 | RTE2/RTV

Very few can be ruled out safely in this €200,000 highlight, which has seen only one winning favourite in the last 16 runnings.

JP McManus was responsible for that successful favourite, Colbert Station in 2012, calls on eight runners this time.

His Alfa Mix looks one of the leading players if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect, although it's also interesting to see headgear tried on one of the other main contenders, the Gordon Elliott-trained The Bosses Oscar.

The Bosses Oscar: one of the leading players for Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It suggests connections mean business here with the application of cheekpieces and a tongue-tie for the first time.

He is one of four lively candidates in the race for Elliott, who has won two of the last five runnings of this race.

In one of the three years he didn't send out the winner, Elliott saddled the 2-3-4.

Henry de Bromhead's four runners in this race 12 months ago finished second, fourth, fifth and eighth, including runner-up Minella Times.

With Le Musigny a non-runner, recent Punchestown scorer Fully Charged looks the Knockeen handler's leading contender from three candidates this time.

Paul Townend and Willie Mullins teamed up to success with topweight Castlebawn West here last year and are represented by Agusta Gold this time around.

Enjoy D'Allen (second right): finished third in the Irish Grand NationalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Irish Grand National third Enjoy D'Allen could have a major say if continuing his improvement over fences.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Coko Beach, Braeside, The Bosses Oscar and Death Duty
You'd like to think The Bosses Oscar has a great chance and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on. We're claiming 7lb off Coko Beach but it still looks a big task. We would prefer softer ground for Braeside, but he won well the last day and seems in good form. We all know Death Duty is a very good horse on his day, but he would probably prefer it a bit softer as well.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Darver Star, Alfa Mix, Ilikedwayurthinkin and Peaches And Cream
Darver Star will wear blinkers for the first time and hopefully that sharpens up his jumping. We'll see how he gets on over this new trip. We're trying Alfa Mix in cheekpieces to help him travel. He didn't really do that last time at Punchestown. Overall, Ilikedwayurthinkin's jumping hasn't been good enough, but if he can get that part of his game together he'd hopefully have an each-way chance. There could be a nice handicap in Peaches And Cream somewhere along the way. He's third reserve, so we'll see how things go.

Alfa Mix (right): one of eight JP McManus-owned candidates for the Paddy Power ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins, trainer of Class Conti, Agusta Gold, Lord Royal and Stones And Roses
We're hoping for a good run from Class Conti but he has a lot of weight. Paul has picked Agusta Gold, who has been working well and runs well fresh. She's definitely in with a chance. Lord Royal has yet to show his best. Jack Foley's 5lb claim could be a big help in a race like this. He looks a solid each-way chance. Stones And Roses ran really well at Fairyhouse last month and has a nice racing weight here. All the recent rain will help his chance.

Ciaran Murphy, trainer of Enjoy D'Allen
It was good to see Run Wild Fred boost the form of our Irish Grand National run in the Troytown. We always planned on keeping the first half of his campaign light and we're hoping for a massive run.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Top Moon, A Wave Of The Sea and Fakir
If Top Moon and A Wave Of The Sea could show up in similar form to the Munster National and have a bit of luck in running, then hopefully they could run well here. Fakir would hopefully have a squeak if getting in as a reserve on his first start after a break.

Noble Yeats: will bid to bounce back from blip at Cork last timeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Chris Jones, owner of Ben Dundee
He rarely runs a bad race and I think he's got a good each-way chance if things work out right.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Noble Yeats and Russian Diamond
Noble Yeats had an irregular heartbeat after his last run at Cork. He can be a bit nervous, so we're fitting him with a hood to try to help him in that regard. Russian Diamond could have a squeak each-way over this shorter trip than last time. He's had a couple of falls previously but to me he's generally a solid jumper. Hopefully, he can get his act together and run a nice race.

Sean Flanagan, rider of School Boy Hours
He's got a nice weight. He'll probably need to improve on what he's shown for this sort of test but he's a scopey horse who hopefully could have a chance if getting a clear run.

Read more Monday previews . . .

1.40 Chepstow: is there another star in this year's Finale? Graeme Rodway analyses the field

2.30 Kempton: Henderson confident Shishkin is ready for return – but has concerns over ground

2.50 Chepstow: Welsh Grand National – key trainer quotes as Secret Reprieve bids for rare double

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