Don Poli in pole position in RSA Chase
A winner at the Festival in 2014, when taking the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' race, he has looked a natural in two runs over fences to date, and the demands of this race, which can be a real test for a young horse, should pose no problems.
Such is the confidence in his stamina, connections considered running him in the four-mile race here yesterday, but the late confirmation for this more prestigious race can reap reward.
In his two chases, he has jumped well, and shown a very willing attitude. It's that, allied to his class and anticipated improvement, which should get him up the hill in front this afternoon.
Kings Palace has done little wrong in three runs over fences, including at this course, but he had a similar profile coming to last year's Festival for the Albert Bartlett and was well beaten when falling at the last.
He has looked classy in dismissing the likes of Sausalito Sunrise, but this is a significant step up, and last year's below-par display leaves many questions to answer.
The strong-running The Young Master, who has had an eventful season, will keep going when others have given up, and he can chase the selection home.
The opening Neptune Investments' Novices' Hurdle looks trappy but, after the 1-2-3 for Irish-trained runners in yesterday's Supreme, it may be safest to stick with our challengers.
According to the betting, Outlander is the second string of the Willie Mullins team but he looked an improved performer when tried over two and a half miles last time and, with only minor concerns about what effect better ground might have on the son of Stowaway, he looks the percentage bet.
