'His second to Stattler reads very well' - Fighter could frank stablemate's form

Friday: 4.15 Punchestown
EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase | 2m5f | 5yo | RTE2/RTV

Willie Mullins has won the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase on five of the last six occasions and the champion trainer will saddle a third of the fifteen runners in his pursuit of this year's €100,000 prize.

Those near the head of the weights have a good recent record in this, taking the last three contests with Asterion Forlonge, Real Steel and Kemboy all going on to run in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival the following season after triumphing in handicap company here.

Although perhaps not quite at that level, Blue Sari still sets a decent standard at the top of the ratings this time around. The seven-year-old arrives here after succumbing to a 30-length defeat at the hands of Galopin Des Champs in Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse 12 days ago.

However, the former Champion Bumper runner-up, who is one of seven course winners in the field, may be more competitive on his first start in handicap company over fences.

There was no shame in Fighter Allen’s performance when beaten by National Hunt Chase winner Stattler at Fairyhouse in December, and the course-and-distance winner opened his chase account quite handsomely at Tramore 19 days ago.

Paul Townend, a four-time winner of this race, has sided with Fighter Allen, while championship chasing conditional Jack Foley will partner El Barra, who won a novice hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago. Fan De Blues and Grand Bornand complete the Closutton qunitet.

Mouse Morris may have the pick of the bunch though in French Dynamite. Fourth in the Champion Stayers Hurdle at last year’s festival, the Robcour-owned seven-year-old proved his class when defeating Ciel De Neige at Thurles, and demands major respect on the back of that.

French Dynamite: makes his handicap debut over fencesCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

It would be quite the spring festival double if Gevrey could follow up his Easter Sunday demolition with success here. The handicapper has upped him 5lb for that performance, but with the Gordon Elliot-Jack Kennedy partnership in good form, perhaps it is unwise to ignore him.

Rightplacerightime is another who reappears from the Fairyhouse Easter festival after being just touched off in the Ladies National, but a 6lb rise makes life tougher in a more competitive affair here.

Bold Emperor also ran well at Fairyhouse, when second to Mt Leinster, but you have to go back to 2013 to find a winner who carried as little as 10-3 in this.

Enda Bolger loves the Punchestown festival and he saddles Birchdale who relishes these sorts of contests. Top conditional Shane Fitzgerald will help negate some of the 8lb rise the former Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old received for defeating a strong field at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The youngest horse in the line-up, Busselton, is intriguing in handicap company for the first time over fences on what will be his tenth start over the larger obstacles. Although only five, the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding already has plenty of top-level chasing experience including when second in the Turners last time out.

Lieutenant Command looked to be getting back on track at Naas when coming with a challenging run before crashing out two from home, and reopposes the eventual winner that day Gabbys Cross.

What they say

Paul Townend, rider of Fighter Allen
His second to Stattler reads very well now and he had a good confidence booster in Tramore the last day. He has plenty of weight but horses with a lot of weight have a very good record in this.

Mouse Morris, trainer of French Dynamite
He’s great, he’s in good form. He got up well in a graded race the last day and Darragh is back to ride him again. The slight step in trip should hopefully do him good.

Jack Foley, rider of El Barra
He won a good race here last year. I was lucky enough to win on him in Limerick, where he jumped great. Hopefully he can perform to that level again.

Gordon Elliot, trainer of Gevrey
He won well the last day and hopefully he can run well again. Davy [Russell] gave him a great ride and Jack Kennedy takes over today. He’s in good form.

Friday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Fact-finding Derby mission for connections of small-field Newmarket Stakes

3.15 Goodwood: Could we see another future Group 1 winner in this red-hot Listed race?

3.35 Newmarket: Jetsetting Yibir returns to the green grass of home - what is his main danger?

5.25 Punchestown: 'He could give her a fright' - can anyone dethrone the mighty Honeysuckle?

6.00 Punchestown: Mullins-trained Champion Hurdle prospect sets the standard in top novice event

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