Who will clinch the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park? Our Tips The first weekend of National Hunt action from Gowran Park will have the PWC Champion Chase as its centrepiece, a Grade 2 contest over two-and-a-half-miles. Sizing Europe, winner four times from 2011 onwards, is the most decorated winner of the race, while Jessica Harrington and Willie Mullins share the record for most wins with five each. A field of five runners were declared, with €27,000 on offer to the winner and we've got a NAP and Next Best for the feature race. NAP: Blood Destiny Next Best: Western Fold William Hill Betting Offer Old rivals lock horns Just five runners declared and it could be a shootout between the runners representing Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott — more on them to come. That's primarily because they are the top-rated duo on paper but also their three rivals have reasons to be concerned. Affordable Jury for Noel Meade may be better suited over three miles and Monbeg Park was pulled up quickly in the Kerry National at Listowel 10 days ago on first start for Jack Foley. Rebel Gold has plenty of winning form over this sort of trip but Patrick Foley's charge is a 12-year-old now and came up short in Grade 2 company on his previous efforts. Blood Destiny appeal for Mullins BLOOD DESTINY hasn't always been the easiest horse to figure out over fences. He looked a possible star in the making when scoring on fencing bow at Naas (2m, soft to heavy) in December 2023, but spent most of the rest of that season sparring with Spillane's Tower. He hit a good level of form, no questioning that, but perhaps didn't go on as desired last season. He disappointed behind Appreciate It at Thurles in January, finishing a well beaten third, before solid runs in graded company at Fairyhouse and Killarney in late spring behind the likes of Found A Fifty and Hercule Du Seuil. He then made the most of an easy opening at Listowel in June and was second on his most recent start at Galway in August. That was over a 2m6½f trip that perhaps stretched his stamina, especially around Ballybrit. Only two of the four starters finished and he was four lengths adrift of a solid rival in Zanahiyr at the post. This reduced trip around here should suit him well and Paul Townend's partner could be up to defying his 3lb penalty. This is a contest Mullins has targeted in recent times, with four wins in the last five years. Plate winner in the mix Gordon Elliott's previous winner of this contest was A Toi Phil in 2017 and the Cullentra handler relies on Galway Plate winner WESTERN FOLD now. The six-year-old was completing a hat-trick of chasing wins when landing Ballybrit's big prize in late July. He'd won a beginners' at Tipperary over nearly three miles in May — getting off the mark at the sixth attempt in this discipline — and soon added a Listed victory at Ballinrobe in the Mayo National the same month. He defied a 10lb hike in the ratings to win at Galway. He's now rated 157, top-rated in this line-up, but that benchmark has been attained when stamina was a real asset. Blood Destiny, if he brings his best stuff, may outclass him here.
