The William Hill Champion Steeplechase

of €300,000 (Grade 1)

(Registered as the Drogheda Steeplechase) (Generously sponsored by William Hill) William Hill will present a trophy of no intrinsic value to the winning owner, trainer, jockey of this race, €150 to the winning groom and €150 to the groom in charge of the best turned out horse. Distance 2m

Winner €177,000 Second €60,000 Third €30,000 Fourth €15,000 Fifth €9,000 Sixth €6,000 Race conditions A steeplechase for five years old and upwards.

Weights 11st 12lbs. Mares allowed 7lbs.

COLOURS / RIDER NO / DRAW / FORM / HORSE

1

3111-28

Declared 6

AGE / WEIGHT / TRAINER

Blue Lord (Fr) 40 TStrap, 8 11-12

Owned by: Simon Munir & Isaac Souede g Bay by Blue Bresil - Lorette (Cachet Noir)

Colours: EMERALD GREEN, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots

Bred by: Mme Joelle Morruzzi & Mme Raymonde Demaison W P Mullins CARLOW

RACING POST VERDICT Disappointed twice since Leopardstown Christmas win; likely strong pace here will suit Probable SP: 13/2

Career record 17 runs, 8 wins, 13 places Strike-Rate 47 % Prize-money earned €377,370

Blue Lord (FR) 1 flat win €3,750.00 7 N.H. wins €297,655.00 CD -- Handicap Rating 165

Paul Townend 11.10 (TS) 18L 8th of 9 to Envoi Allen (FR) 11.10 CHELTENHAM 16 MAR chse Grade 1 2m 4f 127yds Sft

1/4Fav HR167 P. Townend 11.12 (TS) 7L 2nd to Gentleman De Mee (FR) 11.12 LEP 5 FEB 5rn chse Grade 1 2m 1f Yld

2/1

Danny Mullins

Captain

2 Chacun Pour Soi (Fr) 16 11

11-12

Owned by: Mrs S Ricci g Bay by Policy Maker - Kruscyna Colours: PINK, light green spots, pink sleeves & cap Bred by: D Berland W P Mullins CARLOW u23-393

RACING POST VERDICT 2021 winner but age clearly catching up with him and hard to fancy Probable SP: 20/1

Career record 21 runs, 9 wins, 17 places Strike-Rate 42 % Prize-money earned €726,084

Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 9 N.H. wins €586,372.00 CD -- Handicap Rating 157

HR157 M.J.M O’Sullivan 11.12 3 1/4L 1/2L 3rd to Bachasson

Owned by: Tony Bloom

41 9 11-12

2111-31 g Brown by Denham Red - Olinight (April Night) Colours: ROYAL BLUE, white seams, white & royal blue hooped cap Bred by: M Christophe Dubourg W P Mullins CARLOW

RACING POST VERDICT Last year’s winner the undisputed champion 2m chaser and the one they all have to beat Probable SP: 2/5

Career record 14 runs, 11 wins, 14 places Strike-Rate 78 % Prize-money earned €988,807

Energumene (FR) 11 N.H. wins €961,421.50 CD -- Handicap Rating 176

Paul Townend 11.10 won 10L 24L from Captain Guinness 11.10 and Greaneteen (FR) 11.10 CHELTENHAM 15 MAR 7rn chse Grade 1 1m 7f 199yds Sft

Paul Townend 11.10 hd 6 1/2L 3rd to Editeur du Gite (FR) 11.10 CHELTENHAM 28 JAN 6rn chse Grade 1 2m 62yds Sft

1/9Fav HR176 P. Townend 12.0 won 15L 25L from Epson Du Houx (FR) 11.4 and Born By The Sea 11.4 CK 11 DEC 22 4rn chse Grade 2 2m 160yds Yld/Sft

4

Mark Walsh

Gentleman De Mee (Fr) 79 H,T, 7 11-12

Owned by: John P McManus g Bay by Saint Des Saints - Koeur De Mee (Video Rock)

Colours: EMERALD GREEN & ORANGE HOOPED, white cap

Bred by: M Andre Marcel Pommerai,Mme Aurelie Pommerai,Mme Gwenaelle Barre Pommerai&Mme Anne-Charline Pommerai W P Mullins CARLOW 11u46-1

RACING POST VERDICT Impressed at Leopardstown; similar conditions likely here so could go well Probable SP: 9/2

Career record 14 runs, 5 wins, 8 places Strike-Rate 35 % Prize-money earned €228,098

Gentleman De Mee (FR) 5 N.H. wins €204,285.70 D -- Handicap Rating 167

15/2 HR158 D.E. Mullins 11.12 (H) (TS) won 7L 3 3/4L from Blue Lord (FR) 11.12 and Sceau Royal (FR) 11.12 LEP 5 FEB 5rn chse

Grade 1 2m 1f Yld

7/1 HR160 M.P. Walsh 11.12 (H) (TS) 41L 6th of 7 to Blue Lord (FR) 11.12 LEP 27 DEC 22 chse Grade 1 2m 1f Yld

A. Coleman 11.10 (H) (TS) 9L 6L 1 1/4L 4th to Edwardstone (GB) 11.10 SANDOWN PARK 3 DEC 22 6rn chse Grade 1 1m 7f 119yds

Gd /Sft