14:10 Leopardstown (IRE) 02 Feb 2025
Ladbrokes Dublin Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €90,000 - 8 ran
prominent early, led before 2nd and soon went well clear, travelling well 2 out, pushed along and reduced advantage entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
mid-division early, tracked leaders from halfway, improved to dispute 2nd 3 out, went moderate 2nd and pushed along next, ridden and closer 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, jumped slightly right, moderate 4th 3 out, ridden in moderate 4th next, no impression, went 3rd at last, no impression on leaders
led early, headed before 2nd and chased clear leader, disputed moderate 2nd 3 out, ridden in moderate 3rd next, soon no impression, 4th at last, no extra
in rear, mistake 6th, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, remote 6th entering straight, no impression
in rear, pushed along from 3 out, ridden 2 out, remote 5th entering straight, no impression
prominent early, ridden 6th and weakened, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €31.80 (8, 5) |
| Tricast | €59.65 (8, 5, 3) |
| Win | €7.00 (8) |
| Place | €1.20 (8), €1.50 (5), €1.10 (3) |
| Exacta | €27.60 (8, 5) |
| Trifecta | €74.90 (8, 5, 3) |
Expert Analysis
A tricky race to unpick, but sectionals help to do that and show that Solness set a pace much stronger than usually seen even at this level, getting to halfway about 20 lengths ahead of par. His rivals were a long way back by that stage but should have been able to close the gap, yet only one of them – Marine Nationale (possibly not the gamest around) – got in any sort of a challenge before petering out.
All in all, it is best to view this as high-class form from the winner, if assisted by the deficiencies in his rivals and by employing tactics which will be difficult to pull off against more substantial opposition.
Solness’ final 4f went by in 61.14s for a 95.2% finishing speed.
SOLNESS (c168 here and previously) probably put up a high-class effort, and might well have done here the time before with hindsight, soon leading and steered quite wide, setting a strong pace and getting clear after the third, mostly jumping quickly and accurately, closed on between the last two but pulling out enough to hold on as the runner-up’s effort fizzled out.
Repeating this against Jonbon at Cheltenham may be a whole different matter, but Solness is good enough and fast enough to disrupt classy rivals.
MARINE NATIONALE (c166 here, 163 previously) ran his best race and looks to be back in the groove, while failing to dispel doubts about his willingness to battle, going fast enough himself early in mid-field then reined back, moving back into second for sure before 2 out and closing down the winner so that he jumped the last only a length down then seeming to hang fire before keeping on right at the death. The way the Champion Chase is likely to be run could suit him, but the finish at Cheltenham is not for faint hearts.
GAELIC WARRIOR (c151 here, 166 previously) disappointed and is some way off making the grade as his Arkle win suggested he would, held up and steadied further back at halfway, with a lot to do but making headway before 2 out as the pace up front started to abate, only to find no extra from between the last 2.
QUILIXIOS (c139 here, 159 previously) was below form, leading only briefly early but still disputing second until going to 2 out.
GENTLEMAN DE MEE (c138 here, ? previously) was held up and never threatened to get anywhere near.
CAPTAIN GUINNESS (c130 here, ? previously) has lost his way of late, travelling well held up for a long way here but finding little when asked.
EL FABIOLO (c0 here, 172? previously) departed at the second having had his return delayed. Things have gone far from smoothly in the 12 months since he won this in 2024.
SENECIA (c0 here, 140 previously)
