Don Cossack could become first Irish winner of Ryanair Chase
The massively-built eight-year-old carries the colours of race sponsor Michael O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud and ticks all the boxes
Peter O'Hehir
Don Cossack (Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
The Gordon Elliott-trained Don Cossack, unbeaten in four starts this season, looks the horse to beat in today's Grade 1 Ryanair Chase.
The massively-built eight-year-old carries the colours of race sponsor Michael O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud and ticks all the boxes as he bids to erase memories of his fall in the RSA Chase last year.
Although he was a Grade 1 winner in his novice season, landing the Drinmore at the expense of Carlingford Lough, he failed to fulfil his potential and was widely regarded a disappointment.
But, because of his size, Don Cossack must be considered a late developer. And a stronger and more mature-looking specimen this season, he has reeled off four wins on his way to today's race, his target all season.
A convincing winner on his seasonal debut at Punchestown in October, Don followed-up when slamming one of today's rivals Wonderful Charm in a Grade 2 at Down Royal.
His victory over Boston Bob and last year's Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere in the John Durkan at Punchestown in December was his first at Grade 1 level against seasoned campaigners.
Gordon Elliott resisted the temptation to aim Don at Leopardstown's Lexus or the Hennessy, believing his charge is not a true three-miler.
Don Cossack ridden by Bryan Cooper, 2013 (Image: PA)
He suggested the Sholokhov gelding would head straight to Cheltenham, but then opted to go for the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles in January, where he looked likely to get the better of Champagne Fever when that rival crashed at the final fence, leaving Don to beat Texas Jack by 44 lengths.
Don Cossack pleased Elliott in a recent gallop in Leopardstown and is primed for today's test, over an ideal trip (two miles and five) on suitable ground. A strong traveller and sound jumper, he has an outstanding chance in a competitive event.
The Shark Hanlon-trained Hidden Cyclone, below, ran the race of his life to finish second to Dynaste in this race last year and bids to go one better rather than taking on the big guns in yesterday's Champion Chase.
A horse yet to achieve what his trainer believes him capable of, Hidden Cyclone couldn't have been more impressive than when beating Bright New Dawn in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown, a victory which followed a second to Twinlight at Leopardstown.
At 10-year-old, Hidden Cyclone is hardly getting any better. And, while I expect him to run another good race, I can't see him landing the spoils.
Barry Connell supplemented Foxrock to the race. And, if he has fully recovered from three tough races at Leopardstown since Christmas, the progressive Ted Walsh-trained seven-year-old might also figure prominently.
Foxrock (Image: PA)
A gallant second to Living Next Door, under a big weight in the Paddy Power, he gained compensation when landing the Leopardstown Chase.
And, last time, he produced another rock-solid performance when beaten three-quarters of a length by Carlingford Lough in the Hennessy, when the leading pair finished eight lengths clear of the rest.
On that evidence, Foxrock deserves to be in today's line-up. But I worry about the effect those hard races might have had on him.
It's difficult to fancy the Willie Mullins-trained Ballycasey after his poor efforts at Leopardstown over Christmas and, last time, when a well-beaten third behind two of today's rivals Balder Succes and Ma Filleule in the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Balder Succes has obvious claims for Alan King while Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows team is brimming with confidence behind Ma Filleule.
And Wishfull Thinking, representing Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson, is the highest-rated animal in the field.
In a competitive race, I expect Don Cossack to recoup Michael O'Leary's sponsorship money and become the first Irish-trained winner of the Ryanair.
Ted Walsh