5.30 3m. 5f. 201yds. 6 Declared. Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £125,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €60,388.00 2nd - €30,188.00 3rd - €15,112.00 4th - €7,550.00 5th - €3,775.00 6th - €1,875.00 7th - €950.00 8th - €475.00
FormscanBy Michael Graham - RUN WILD FRED is very solid and is best in at the weights. Gordon Elliott has a good record in this race and this Shantou gelding looks tailor-made for this stamina test. His form since the end of 2020 reads very well and includes runner-up berths in the Thyestes, the Irish Grand National and a Grade 3 and a Grade One (on his last start at Leopardstown over Christmas). In addition, he landed the Grade B Troytown at Navan in November in decisive fashion. Jockey Jamie Codd has three victories in this race of which two were for Elliott. Conversely, Stattler has only had two races over fences. He has won them both, though, including a Grade 3 at Naas in January when still a bit novicey. This longer trip should help him get into a rhythm with his jumping. Vanillier has been trained with this race in mind. He has plenty to find with Stattler after finishing third to him in Naas, but there is an argument that he is a spring horse as he was very impressive in the Grade One Albert Bartlett at last year's festival. A big run wouldn't be surprising.