'I think he'll be bang there' - who believes they can derail the Mullins juggernaut in Dublin Chase?

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This should be an intriguing betting race with the top three from the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase over course and distance at Christmas renewing rivalry, and each set of connections has reasons to believe they can emerge on top.

Solness put in a dynamic front-running display on that occasion to repel Gaelic Warrior and Marine Nationale by three and three-quarter lengths. He did get an uncontested lead and was well suited to the ground, but he put them away in comprehensive fashion.

It's not safe to assume the runner-up and third will improve past him, but Solness was hard-fit on that occasion with it being his sixth start since September. The ground seems as if it will be to his liking again, so it's hard to knock him as an each-way bet.

Gaelic Warrior's comeback was reasonably encouraging but he took a long time to get past Marine Nationale, who had to make his move earlier than ideal as Solness was stretching into an unassailable lead. He looked a bit laboured when asked to quicken and probably needs soft ground over this trip, which he won't get here.

Gaelic Warrior: bursts clear to win the Arkle for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins

Gaelic Warrior: bids to bounce back when renewing rivalry with SolnessCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The ground should suit Marine Nationale and his last start was a nice step forward from his slightly underwhelming seasonal return at Naas. He jumped much better at Leopardstown and the race didn't pan out ideally for him. He requires a bit of a leap of faith as he hasn't recaptured the aura he built in his novice hurdle campaign but he's back going the right way and looks overpriced at 11-2.

At his best, El Fabiolo is the most likely winner, but he's been off since April and this is a tough challenge for his first start back, while Mullins has not hidden the fact he's been troublesome to train this season. He's also in danger of being too fresh on his return, which could exacerbate his tendency to bulldoze a fence.

Quilixios shouldn't be dismissed as he was quite impressive at Naas and acquitted himself well when beaten eight lengths into second by Jonbon in the Tingle Creek on ground that would have been plenty testing for him.

He's a tempting proposition at a bigger price. The first two home in last season's Champion Chase, Captain Guinness and Gentleman De Mee, haven't fired yet this year and are best watched.

Warrior out to continue Mullins Dublin Chase domination

Willie Mullins has landed every running of the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase since its inception in 2018 and holds another strong hand with Gaelic Warrior, last season's winner El Fabiolo and Gentleman De Mee, who won in 2023.

Stable jockey Paul Townend has opted for Gaelic Warrior, who ended last season with a surprise defeat at Punchestown but put in a scintillating display in the Arkle at Cheltenham before then.

His tendency to jump to his right is well documented and plagued him in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase last season, but his jumping was more assured on his seasonal return over this course and distance in December when second behind the reopposing Solness.

Mullins isn't concerned about the Rich Ricci-owned chaser's jumping history and is confident he is tactically versatile. "Gaelic Warrior might be a little bit better right-handed but I don't let that worry me too much," he said. "He's run three cracking races at Cheltenham.

El Fabiolo: convincing winner of the Dublin Chase

El Fabiolo: returns to action in the Dublin ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"Patrick kept him to the outside at Leopardstown last time and that's a help. We don't know what the opposition are going to do, but if they don't go on, we'd be happy to let him go on, especially now he has that run under his belt."

El Fabiolo was the dominant force in the two-mile chase division before being pulled up in last season's Champion Chase as 2-9 favourite after a desperate blunder at the fifth fence. He was last seen finishing four lengths behind Jonbon at Sandown where his jumping proved problematic again.

He returns for the first time since April and Mullins said: "El Fabiolo has been a little bit more difficult to train this season. I'm hoping to get Grade 1 performances out of him yet and we have a few festivals to go."

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Captain Guinness and Quilixios
I thought Quilixios ran very well in the Tingle Creek and seems to be in good form since. This looked a nice race for him and we're hopeful. Captain Guinness has obviously taken a while to come to hand this season, but he seems to have come forward nicely since Christmas and he tends to come alive in the spring, so hopefully he can show a bit more here.

Barry Connell, trainer of Marine Nationale
All is good with him since Christmas. I think he's come forward from his run at Leopardstown. He jumped great, which was the main thing as he was very light on experience. He's improved since and I think he'll be bang there.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Solness
He's in good shape since his win at Christmas and we're hoping for a good run. The drier the ground, the better his chance.

Read our Sunday previews...

1.10 Leopardstown: No Sir Gino and he's up in trip - so can Ballyburn get his mojo back after Kempton thumping?

1.40 Leopardstown: Kopek Des Bordes the one to beat - but will his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate who 'could be anything' spoil the party?

2.25 Musselburgh: 'He still has some improvement in him off his mark' - Grand National possibles line up for Edinburgh equivalent at Musselburgh

3.20 Leopardstown: 'You should never knock a horse for one bad run' - Lossiemouth and State Man lock horns in fascinating Irish Champion Hurdle