‘If she can run to that level again she’ ll be hard to beat’

JOSH DOWN

1. Elimay

2. Colreevy

3. Annie Mc

Put The Kettle On and Colreevy might run elsewhere which leaves Elimay at the top of the market. She was only receiving 2lb from Allaho when running him to three lengths at Thurles in January. Although Allaho probably won snug enough, that is the best piece of form in this race and if Elimay can run to that level again she’ll be hard to beat. Colreevy is a big threat but would prefer cut in the ground. Annie Mc doesn’t have much to find on ratings and fares best of the British.

SAM HARDY

1. Shattered Love

2. Colreevy

3. Elimay

2018 JLT Novices’ Chase winner Shattered Love can roll back the years with a festival win now racing against her own sex. The mare showed great character last time out to finish second behind the ante-post favourite Elimay at Naas when staying on strongly at the finish after a slight mistake three out. The Willie Mullins-trained Colreevy has impressed with each of her three runs since switching to the bigger obstacles and is an obvious danger to all.

JACK HAYNES

1. Elimay

2. Annie Mc

3. Shattered Love

Willie Mullins can land the first running of this race with favourite Elimay. Her sole defeat over fences when second to Ryanair favourite Allaho in a Grade 2 at Thurles reads well and she was back to winning ways when recording a joint career-best of 157 in accounting for the reopposing Shattered Love at Naas. The prospect of better ground is no concern and she looks a solid favourite. Annie Mc – a dual Listed winner this season – is the pick of the home challenge.

BEN HUTTON

1. Elimay

2. Annie Mc

3. Clondaw Caitlin

Willie Mullins has farmed the mares’ races at the festival and can land the inaugural running of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase with Elimay, whose sole defeat over fences came behind stablemate and last year’s RSA Chase third Allaho. She is taken to beat Annie Mc, who can produce a bold show for the home team. Clondaw Caitlin has bundles of potential and would be a fascinating contender for Ruth Jefferson if turning up.

TOM PARK

1. Salsaretta

2. Elimay

3. Colreevy

With Put The Kettle On likely to go to the Champion Chase, Willie Mullins holds the key to this, but perhaps not with the obvious as Salsaretta looks serious value at 18-1 at the time of writing. Things haven’t gone right for her in two starts this season, but she was prolific last term and, at a decent price, she is worth giving another chance to here. Elimay is the rightful favourite and will be tough to peg back, while I can see Colreevy coming strongly but fear whether she will get up the hill.

MADDY PLAYLE

1. Colreevy

2. Elimay

3. Annie Mc

Willie Mullins looks to have this race at his mercy, but if he ran both Colreevy and Elimay I would favour the former at this undulating track. She has improved for the switch to fences and can win the first running of this race. Annie Mc is tough and genuine and, although she was outclassed in the Marsh last year, this should be easier.