14:20 Leopardstown (IRE) 28 Dec 2022
Savills Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €105,000 - 7 ran
tracked leader, disputed 9th, soon led, joined again 5 out, better jump to lead 3 out, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably
led, jumped slightly right, slightly slow 3rd, joined 9th, soon headed, disputed from 5 out, headed 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace run-in
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 10th, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, kept on same pace run-in
held up, keen hold and closer briefly 8th, towards rear and slight mistake 7 out, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression in 5th before last, kept on same pace run-in
soon tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close up briefly 5 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression entering straight, no extra from last
always rear, slight mistake 7 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €3.30 |
| CSF | €9.63 (2, 7) |
| Tricast | €39.92 (2, 7, 5) |
| Win | €3.00 (2) |
| Place | €1.90 (2), €1.60 (7) |
| Exacta | €8.20 (2, 7) |
| Trifecta | €42.30 (2, 7, 5) |
Expert Analysis
A race weakened significantly by the late defection of the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard, winner of this in 2020 and a slightly unlucky second 12 months ago, who reportedly banged a joint, and the race probably did not take a huge amount of winning by its own high standards as a consequence, some fairly unexacting splits additionally playing to the winner’s strengths (105.5% finishing speed).
CONFLATED (c165+ here, 170 previously) made the most of a good opportunity and won comfortably enough to suggest he is as good as ever, for all that this was slightly below the level of his Irish Gold Cup win and Aintree Bowl second of last season. He raced close up, led around halfway, turned the screw after 2 out and was in little danger on the run-in, mostly pushed out. A thorough slog in the Cheltenham Gold Cup might not be ideal, and that was presumably the thinking behind connections’ running him in the Ryanair Chase (held by Allaho when fell) last term.
KEMBOY (c161 here, 163 previously) won this as long ago as 2018 (4th, 2nd and 3rd in the intervening years) and reminded us that he still has a lot of that old ability with another creditable run, leading until halfway and back well in touch until outpaced after the second-last, occasionally jumping to his right, not for the first time.
FURY ROAD (c160 here, 157 previously) ran well with no excuses other than that this was only just enough of a test, held up and staying on.
FRANCO DE PORT (c159 here and previously) had run respectably at best at Auteuil on 3 of his last 4 appearances but was back to his best here, racing freely in rear but sticking to his task late on. This may be his best trip these days.
FRENCH DYNAMITE (154+ here and previously) ran creditably and looked like finishing even closer for a long way, 3m even in these circumstances plenty far enough for him. He raced in touch, was disputing second between the last 2 then faded. He should be of interest back in a handicap at 20f/22f if left around the 150 mark after this.
GALVIN (c123 here, 164 previously) ran even worse here than he had at Down Royal and would be difficult to back with confidence at present, quickly beaten after coming under stronger pressure 3 out.
ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (c122 here, 164 previously) ran poorly after an absence, always behind and less than fluent, beaten before the longer trip would have been an issue.
