Paul Townend puts faith in 'electric' Chacun Pour Soi to shine in Dublin Chase

Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase | 2m 1f 43y | RTV

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Irish champion jockey Paul Townend has described the feeling Chacun Pour Soi transmits as electric and believes, if he shows up in his best form, the race is his to lose.

Townend was not aboard the Willie Mullins-trained Chacun Pour Soi when he disappointed in the Tingle Creek but he did ride him when he disappointed as a short-priced favourite in the Champion Chase last season.

Writing in his Ladbrokes blog, Townend acknowledged that Chacun Pour Soi had only ever disappointed away from home and, back on familiar soil, is hopeful of turning the tables with Greaneteen.

Townend wrote: "Chacun Pour Soi deserves to be the odds-on favourite on his Irish form. His two biggest disappointments have been in England. He seems to be fine after missing his intended target here at Christmas."

He added: "Every time I get to ride the horse I just love it, and riding him is an electric feeling. If he shows up, he wins in my book. It is interesting to see Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen come over, but I think our horse on home turf is a horse to be reckoned with."

Nicholls: 'Chacun Pour Soi the one to beat but Greaneteen is in great shape'

Greaneteen has already taken the scalp of Chacun Pour Soi in the Tingle Creek but Paul Nicholls is aware he is stepping into the lion's den and is expecting the local hero to put up more of a fight on home soil.

Nicholls reports Greaneteen to be in rude health but accepts Chacun Pour Soi is the main danger.

He said: "Greaneteen is in great shape and I think he’s got a big chance. Chacun Pour Soi is the one to beat but I’m just hoping they don’t get too much rain on Saturday night. I was going for the nice ground and I pray it doesn't rain too much.

"He ran very well in the Tingle Creek, which was the day we had him ready for. I ran him a bit quick after that win, but he still ran a nice race to finish second to Shishkin [in the Desert Orchid]. I just hope it doesn't get too testing."

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Captain Guinness
I thought he ran really well in the Tingle Creek. We decided to back off him after that and wait for this race. He’s in great form at home and we’re looking forward to it.

Pat Fahy, trainer of Dunvegan
This is a fact-finding mission for us and it will tell us where we are with him. These are good horses and if he can compete with them, it will point us in the right direction for the rest of the season. We’ve always thought a lot of him and I think he’s repaying that faith now. He has a big old following – a lot of people like him. It would be great for those people if he can improve again and I don’t think he’ll mind the ground either.

Read a selection of Sunday previews . . .

3.00 Leopardstown: 'It's exciting and nerve-racking' – history awaits Honeysuckle in Irish Champion Hurdle

1.20 Leopardstown: just how good is Galopin Des Champs? Potential superstar set for tough test

Big-race analysis: why the dominant Chacun Pour Soi will be hard to beat on home soil (Members' Club)

2.40 Musselburgh: 'He has a live chance' – which trainer is looking forward to the better ground?

3.35 Leopardstown: Sir Gerhard in pole position Mullins' strong Supreme hand

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