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The Irish Challenge: Sir des Champs the main hope on Gold Cup day

The Cheltenham Festival RSS / / 18 March 2011 /

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Wille Mullins is responsible for the best Irish hope on the final day of this year's festival.

Wille Mullins is responsible for the best Irish hope on the final day of this year's festival.

"Sir des Champs impressed deeply with some sure-footed jumping and looked to have plenty left in the tank if required".

Our winning run may have come to an end with the disappointment of Saddlers Storm in the final race of day three, but we're confident we can return to winning ways on Gold Cup day.

On The Fringe (16.00) looks to have easily the best chance of the Irish trio that are set to contest this year's renewal of the Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup, and Enda Bolger's progressive hunter will be looking to extend his unbeaten run under Rules to three. On The Fringe created a really good impression when beating Kilty Storm in the Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown and returned from an absence to beat Rudi Trucker by eight lengths in what is traditionally a good trial for this race at Leopardstown last month. Baby Run is respected, as is Dantes Storm, but the unexposed On The Fringe looks to have everything in his favour and will take plenty of beating.

Sir des Champs (16.40) is the least experienced of the twenty-four strong field that are set to contest the Martin Pipe Conditional jockey's handicap at 16.40, but he's won both his starts over hurdles so far and looked most progressive when beating White Star Line with plenty to spare in a minor hurdle at Navan on his first run for Willie Mullins. Sir des Champs impressed deeply with some sure-footed jumping and looked to have plenty left in the tank if required. An initial handicap mark of 134 looks to underestimate his potential and he's a worthy favourite.

Recommendations

Back On The Fringe @ [5.7] in the 16.00
Back Sir des Champs @ [6.0] in the 16.40

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