Hewick, Minella Indo and Conflated return in mouthwatering Grade 3 at Punchestown

The Irish jumps season begins to go through the gears with a stellar field set to go to post for the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase, including dual Grade 1 victor Conflated, 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella Indo and last year's King George winner Hewick.

Conflated is the place to start given he held his form quite well last season, finishing third in the Ryanair and runner-up behind Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree. He was last seen in the Punchestown Gold Cup in May, when he again ran with credit in finishing sixth, nine-and-a-half-lengths behind Fastorslow.

However, while he is in receipt of plenty of weight from his main rivals, he didn't reach his peak until the spring last season, which was illustrated by his effort in this race when last of five behind the reopposing Minella Indo.

Gordon Elliott also saddles Minella Crooner and Hurricane Georgie and the Cullentra stable has a tremendous record in this race, landing eight of the last 13 runnings. Minella Crooner is a very strong stayer and might find this trip on the sharp side on his seasonal reappearance, but he finished off his latest campaign in excellent style when showing plenty of resolution to get up in a competitive 3m½f handicap chase at this track.

Hurricane Georgie is a tough and dependable mare who ran a blinder 12 months ago to chase home Minella Indo. She's been in good form throughout the summer, finishing seventh in the Galway Plate and beating Easy Game in a conditions chase at the same track in August. She has fitness on her side and shouldn't be underestimated.

Minella Indo: won this race last seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

Minella Indo tends to put up strong performances first time out, landing last season's renewal on his return, while he also scored at Tramore on his seasonal bow the campaign before. After running below form at Down Royal, he switched his attention to the cross-country sphere last season and took to it seamlessly to finish fourth at Cheltenham off a big weight in December. He then put in a huge effort in the Grand National to finish third behind I Am Maximus, having travelled into the race beautifully. 

He's not getting any younger but he has bundles of class and should be marginal favourite.

Hewick's crowning moment in last season's King George came after a 146-day break, so he could be ready to rock on his reappearance and his last two runs were huge efforts. After finishing sixth in the Liverpool Hurdle, he was back over fences in the Punchestown Gold Cup and acquitted himself very well in being beaten three and a half lengths by Fastorslow, with Galopin Des Champs splitting them, before his campaign was finished off with another admirable run in the French Champion Hurdle when second to Losange Bleu.

That is top-class form and while he has to give 12lb to Conflated and 6lb to Minella Indo, he rates the value at the early show prices of around 4-1.

French Dynamite is another with fitness on his side, having been overhauled by Visionarian at Gowran 11 days ago. Visionarian is 8lb worse off this time for a four-length beating, so the Mouse Morris-trained nine-year-old has sound claims of reversing that form if he can sharpen up his jumping.

Espanito Bello will want plenty of rain, while Desertmore House has plenty to find on form.

Going report

The ground is good, good to yielding in places following a dry day on Monday. Selective watering continued into Tuesday morning. Rain is forecast through Tuesday night, possibly up to 15-20 millimetres according to Met Eireann.

What they say

Shark Hanlon, trainer of Hewick
We'll see how he goes here before making a plan. He's not fully fit yet but he's getting there. He looks great and is coming along nicely. We're looking forward to getting him back out.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Conflated, Minella Crooner and Hurricane Georgie
Conflated is in good form and he'll come on for the run. It's not easy to place him at the moment and this looks a nice starting point for him. Minella Crooner has a good record at the track but has a lot to do on ratings. Hurricane Georgie is in good form and got some black type in the race last season, so we're going to take our chance again.

Gordon Elliott: runs Conflated, Minella Crooner and Hurricane Georgie at PunchestownCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Mouse Morris, trainer of French Dynamite
He ran well at Gowran and is in good form. He has four lengths to find but opportunities are scarce for him. We'd be hoping for the rain stay away. The step up in trip should be fine and he won over this distance over hurdles.

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