2022 Irish Gold Cup Tips - Take a chance on Willie's wandering grey

Leopardstown is a track that suits speedsters and front-running is never a bad tactic. Kemboy has been ridden aggressively during all of his Grade One wins. As has Frodon, so I'll be expecting the two to engage in a furious battle for the lead at some stage in the race.

This should ensure that Saturday's race turns into a strong test of stamina, which would suit Minella Indo. However, Rachael Blackmore's mount fell here in the 2020 Savills Chase and made a terrible blunder at the second-last in this race 12 months ago. I feel the pace of the track at Leopardstown puts Minella Indo on the backfoot and I don't fancy backing him at such a short price. 

I said in my ante-post preview for the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup that Delta Work remains capable of a huge performance and I wouldn't be surprised to see Gordon Elliott's charge challenge for the places. Janidil ran a cracker on his first start over three miles in the Savills Chase, and he's another who's too classy to be ruled out.

Yet, I find myself drawn to ASTERION FORLONGE, despite the fact that he's failed to complete both his starts this season.

Willie Mullins' grey was still tanking as he joined Allaho in the John Durkan, only to take a tumble at the third-last. Again in the King George, Asterion Forlonge was staying on best of those who raced behind the pace, but fell at the last when booked for second behind Tornado Flyer.

Prior to that race at Kempton, I thought Asterion Forlonge might have a little too much speed for three miles. Yet, Willie Mullins' star was seeing out the trip better than many more established stayers, despite being ridden fairly prominently from the get-go, and it wasn't tiredness that caused his soft tumble at the final flight.

Much has been made of Asterion Forlonge's problems going left-handed. True, he did jump violently out to his right when fourth in the 2020 Supreme. Yet, Willie Mullins' eight-year-old has won around this track and his jumping was fairly straight when ridden wide in both the Flogas and the Turners' Novices' Chase last season.

On his last three outings, Asterion Forlonge has run up to an RPR around the 170 mark. He's clearly got bundles of ability and will be celebrating a big Grade One success sooner rather than later. If he can produce a blemish-free round of jumping in Saturday's Irish Gold Cup, then this could be his time to shine.