Savills Chase: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Savills Chase
14:20 Leopardstown, Wednesday
Live on ITV4

1. A Plus Tard (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore)
Top-class chaser who was an impressive winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock last season prior to a narrow defeat to Galvin in this race. He proved better than ever when comprehensively overturning that form in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival on his next start and clearly wasn't at his best when pulled up in this year's edition of the Betfair Chase on his return last time. His bloods weren't right afterwards, though, and he will be very hard to beat if back to his best.

2. Conflated (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy)
Took a major step forward when winning the Irish Gold Cup at this course last season and he shaped well for a long way prior to falling at the second-last in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on his next start. Again wasn't disgraced when runner-up to Clan des Obeaux in the Bowl Chase at Aintree after and left the impression he'd come on for the run when third in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last month. Seems sure to launch another bold bid.

3. Franco de Port (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins)
Very smart chaser at best, hitting the frame on his first two starts this season, in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil and PWC Champion Chase at Gowran where he was unsuited by a drop in trip. Well below form when fifth of 11 to Gran Diose in Group 2 Prix Georges Courtois at Auteuil earlier this month and more needed now.

4. French Dynamite (Mouse Morris/Darragh O'Keeffe)
Won a maiden chase at Punchestown in and a Grade 3 novice at Thurles last season and shaped like the best horse at the weights when runner-up to a well-handicapped sort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month. A late error at the final fence proved the difference between winning and losing on that occasion, but this represents a much sterner test now dining at the top table for all he remains open to improvement.

5. Fury Road (Gordon Elliott/Jordan Colin Gainford)
Made a good start over fences last season, building on previous promise when opening his account in impressive fashion in the Neville Hotels Novices' Chase over course and distance at this meeting. He wasn't disgraced afterwards and he ran up to his best when resuming winning ways in a Grade 2 event at Down Royal last month. Return to this longer trip will suit and he isn't without hope.

6. Galvin (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing)
Has an excellent strike rate over fences and caused a minor shock when getting up late to beat A Plus Tard in this race 12 months ago. Wasn't in the same form at Cheltenham or Punchestown afterwards, but returned to form on his return from six months off when winning a Grade 3 event in October. Below par in Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last time but scoped dirty afterwards and looks a big danger to A Plus Tard.

7. Kemboy (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
Isn't getting any younger but he is still capable of mixing it at this level, as he proved when having Conflated and Galvin behind him when runner-up in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last time. He jumped better than is often the case that day and will likely be in the mix once more, but does look vulnerable from a win perspective.

8. Royal Rendezvous (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes)
Won three times over fences last season, arguably proving better than ever when defying top weight in a handicap chase at Punchestown on his final start. His record when fresh isn't great, though, and this looks tough enough on his return to action.