Grade One Rewards in Captain Guinness sights

PA Sport Reporters
December 26, 2023 3:38 pm

Leopardstown chase presents opportunity for breakthrough win.

Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness will bid for a first Grade One success in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

The gelding is a consistent type who was second in a string of contests at the same level last season, including in this race behind Blue Lord 12 months ago.

He returned to action this term to win the Fortria Chase at Navan by an impressive seven lengths, a performance regular rider Rachael Blackmore regards as one of his best.

“Captain Guinness was brilliant in winning the Fortria Chase at Navan last month on his seasonal return. He jumped super. I think that it was one of the best performances of his life,” she told Betfair.

“It seems like he has been around for ages, but he is only eight, he could have improved again a little this season. He finished second in this race last year behind Blue Lord, and it would be great if he could go one better this year. He hasn’t missed a beat since Navan, and I’m sure he will put up another solid performance.

Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore (Damien Eagers/PA)

“He has won Grade Three races and Grade Two races, and he has finished second in Grade One races three times. He is such a consistent horse, he is such a favourite in the yard, it would be brilliant if he could get his Grade One win on the board here.”

Willie Mullins will saddle every one of the remaining four runners, with Dinoblue joined by Dysart Dynamo, Saint Roi and Gentleman De Mee.

The latter horse will be ridden by Paul Townend as he makes his seasonal debut and Mark Walsh will take the ride on Dinoblue, the apparent first string for owner JP McManus.

“Mark Walsh has opted to ride Dinoblue here. She made a winning start this year at Naas and gets 7lb so she is an improver,” Townend said in his blog for Ladbrokes.

“I have Gentleman De Mee who was a very good winner at the course at the Dublin Racing Festival last season.

Gentleman De Mee and Mark Walsh (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It is his first run back and his first run isn’t always his best, so that is a little concern. He is the highest-rated horse in the field.

“Captain Guinness beat Dysart Dynamo at Navan earlier this year and he will take a lot of beating with race fitness on his side. If my horse can run to his best, then we will see, I am really looking forward to riding him.”

Townend also rides Daddy Long Legs in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, a Grade One contested over two miles that will be the chestnut’s second run for new connections.

Second in his sole French start before joining Mullins, he made an impression when winning a Thurles maiden hurdle by 13 lengths in late November.

Willie Mullins finishes up with 5 winners today @thurlesraces with Daddy Long Legs, giving Paul Townend a treble. pic.twitter.com/0G6zQyGA99
— Irishracing.com Live (@IrishRacing365) November 30, 2023

“We have plenty of runners in this, but I picked Daddy Long Legs. I really liked what he did at Thurles,” Townend said of the ride.

“He quickened up really smartly down the hill. Down Memory Lane (Gordon Elliott) was very impressive in the north (Down Royal) and will take a lot of beating.

“There is a lot of depth in this race. I like the way my horse did it at Thurles. He is a very smart horse and is my best ride of the day.”