Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Down Royal Champion Chase Day Tips

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan previews the first Grade One card of the Irish Jumps season at Down Royal.

Down Royal, Saturday

We’ll start with the Grade One Champion Chase (2.40pm) and it looks like a fabulous renewal of the race. Gordon Elliott is very strong handed with a trio of runners. My dad’s horse Spillane’s Tower being favourite and Envoi Allen looking for his third win in the race is, I think it makes for a proper race. Obviously, last season was frustrating for Spillane’s Tower after an epic start in the John Durkan behind Fact To File. We all dreamed of what the season might be, but following the King George, the spring was just very dry, and it didn’t work out for him. It’s good to get him back and get him started, but he I’d say that he will improve for the run. With that in mind, it’s hard to get away from the course form of Envoi Allen. He’s had six runs Down Royal, five wins and a second in this race when he was beaten by Gerri Colombe in the 2023 renewal. He out-battled his rivals, including Hewick in last year’s race, and I think he should be the one they all have to beat. I find it difficult to fathom why Found A Fifty is the highest rated horse in the race, given his collateral form doesn’t match that of Spillane’s Tower and Envoi Allen. My head is telling me Envoi Allen, obviously my heart is with Spillane’s Tower. That’s a long-winded way of saying, I think the 11-year-old might get the better of the young guns on this occasion, but he won’t for the rest of the season.

The opening race is a three-year-old hurdle (11.50am) where we could see some exciting prospects line up. Disappointing that it’s a small field of six. But, Mange Tout comes in here with a big reputation after winning by 15 lengths on her only start at Compiegne in May of this year. She runs for Gordon Elliott and Robcour, and will be very difficult to oppose in the opener.

I like the top weight, Wendrock, in the two-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle, with Josh Williamson taking five pounds off. He was deemed good enough to run in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham where he finished sixth. I thought it was a respectable run. He was first string that day and then he went and competed at Grade One level at the Aintree Grand National Festival where he was no match for Murcia. I think into handicap company for the first time this guy is going to find himself in his comfort zone. He’s the four-year-old against the field, but the five-pound claimer will help off top weight.

In three-mile handicap chase (2.10pm), I like Ceandanna for Ross O’Sullivan and Danny Gilligan. The yard are in fantastic form and this guy is two from nine over fences, excelling at long distance trips. He won at Sligo this time last year off a mark of 112 and runs here off 116. His last run at Punchestown back over hurdles was a step in the right direction after a disappointing run the time before. I think he’s off a workable mark for an in-form yard. The distance and fences won’t be a problem.

The Grade Two chase over two-and-a-half miles (3.15pm) after the big one is uncompetitive. It looks like Firefox has raced to lose. He’s very strong in form at the track, winning over course and distance there last year. His novice chase form last year was frustrating. He was a nearly horse in every respect. And after being a promising novice hurdler, we all dreamed of what he might be. After a couple of near misses, who would have thought he’d still remain only a winner of a beginner’s chase? His run behind Spindleberry at Fairyhouse last time was a proper defeat. And before that, he was put in his place at Cheltenham by Caldwell Potter and by Majborough at Leopardstown. I think intermediate distances is probably best for him, but this is a weaker affair, and this is ideal track and trip for him.