Powerful owners Gigginstown House Stud have had the second in each of the last three renewals of the 3m 1f Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
Last year’s runner-up Alpha Des Obeaux represents them on Saturday (16:02) and has race terms in his favour.
Trained by Gordon Ellliott, this 10-year-old has run a string of fine races in defeat since landing the Listed 2m 6f Boomerang Chase at Thurles on his third start after joining the yard from Mouse Morris.
Prior to that, Alpha Des Obeaux chased home subsequent Betway Bowl and Punchestown Gold Cup hero Kemboy in the Clonmel Oil Chase.
He was then fourth to Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Al Boum Photo around the tight turns of Tramore and runner-up in the Grade A Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park off 155, where his cause wasn’t helped by his jockey dropping the whip.
Alpha Des Obeaux was far from disgraced when again second to Rathvinden in this 12 months ago.
The winner had proved his stamina by landing the National Hunt Chase over almost 4m at the previous year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Down Royal form looks strong
This Saddler Maker gelding was desperately unlucky to get chinned on the line in a Grade 3 at Punchestown on reappearance.
The form of Alpha Des Obeaux’s 14-length third to Road To Respect in the Down Royal Champion Chase looks very strong.
He finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Delta Work there and that one has since landed back-to-back Grade 1s at Leopardstown.
The runner-up, Clan Des Obeaux, meanwhile, has come out and retained the King George VI Chase around Kempton on Boxing Day.
That run commands Alpha Des Obeaux tons of respect in the Bobbyjo Chase, as does finishing third off top weight over the Grand National fences in the Becher at Aintree last time out.
The way he stayed on into third on Merseyside suggests another tilt at Grand National glory could be in his future.
Alpha Des Obeaux has had a 77-day break over mid-winter to freshen him up and placed three times from four starts at Fairyhouse.
As he comes out 5lb and upwards clear on adjusted ratings, a bold bid to go one better than last year looks assured.
That is reflected in odds of 7/4 with BetVictor for Alpha Des Obeaux in the Bobbyjo Chase.
Acapella Bourgeois another with Bobbyjo Chase claims
Willie Mullins saddles four of the other five runners and Irish National third Acapella Bourgeois looks the pick of that quartet. His trainer has won this nine times since 2005.
Like Alpha Des Obeaux with Elliott, this 10-year-old has only won one race for his current stable but that doesn’t tell the full story.
After scoring on his fifth start for Mullins’ yard, Acapella Bourgeois was then beaten just over seven lengths here on Easter Monday
On his day, he’s capable of running a big race. See Acapells Bourgeois’ penultimate start when chasing home Al Boum Photo in a Grade 3 at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
He was a fading sixth when not fluent at his fences in the Thyestes last time out. The handicapper hasn’t cut Acapella Bourgeois any slack for that 16-length defeat either.
If on a going day, then Acapella Bourgeois is respected at 2/1 with Unibet here.
Stable companions Bellshill has very erratic form, race terms are against Voix Du Reve and Pleasant Company is in the twilight of his career aged 12.
