'He's in tremendous form and has a serious chance' - strong formline and stable confidence point to this runner in hot handicap chase

Following two uncompleted starts last season, Arctic Fly stormed back to form in a handicap chase at Tipperary last month. Trailing in her wake that day were Aeros Luck and Good As Hell, both among the opposition here. 

The sole Willie Mullins representative, Arctic Fly is now 7lb higher, but that was a career-best performance following a 240-day break, so it will be a surprise if she is not involved at the finish. 

The form of Drumgill’s second to Western Fold at Ballinrobe got a big boost on Wednesday when the latter won the Galway Plate. John Patrick Ryan’s six-year-old highlighted his wellbeing when taking advantage of a much lower hurdles mark to win comfortably last time. He could be a huge danger to Arctic Fly. 

The best of Henry de Bromhead’s pair appears to be Jasko Des Dames, the choice of Darragh O’Keeffe. He has won twice from six starts over fences and finished a very respectable fifth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. However, he needs to bounce back from a poor showing in a similar event at the Punchestown festival when last seen. 

Sea Music travelled well for a long way in a new combination of headgear in the Plate when he didn’t seem to stay. This drop in trip looks ideal, and if Wednesday’s exertions have not left their mark he is another who can make his presence felt. 

What they say

John Queally, trainer of The Banger Doyle
We've tried him a few times over hurdles but he just doesn’t seem to be as good over them, even though he's 29lb better off, so we're back to fences now. He has a big task here off top weight but we're taking the 7lb off him with Alan [O'Sullivan], who is good value. It's a big ask though.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Visionarian, Aeros Luck and Aspurofthemoment
Visionarian is getting a bit older and he was disappointing the last day, but he seems to be fresh and well at home and hopefully he can run well. Aeros Luck is consistent. He's probably not well handicapped but he always runs his race and hopefully he can make the frame. We're hopeful Aspurofthemoment can run a nice race.

John Patrick Ryan, trainer of Drumgill
He's in tremendous form and has a serious chance. He was unlucky in the race where he came second to Western Fold, and that form looks good now. This horse is going to Galway in some form and it will take a good horse to beat him.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Jasko Des Dames and Nas Na Riogh
Both of them seem to be in good form. We were delighted with the run of Jasko Des Dames at Cheltenham and he ran well around Galway in a maiden hurdle before. We're hoping they can both run well.

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