Rathvinden might start his journey back to Aintree with a win in the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan Hurdle at Clonmel.
The Willie Mullins-trained 11-year-old – winner of the 2018 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham – ran a fine race to finish a gallant third, beaten five lengths, behind Tiger Roll in the Grand National last April.
The Aintree showpiece is again the target for Ronnie Bartlett’s gelding, with today’s outing mapped out by his trainer as a first stepping-stone on the road.
Rathvinden raced only three times last season, landing the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on his belated seasonal debut, at the expense of Alpha Des Obeaux before his excellent National bid.
But he was well-beaten on his final start, in the Grade 1 French Gold Cup, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil in May, a race won by Carricou.
Today, his fitness level is an unknown, likewise his stable-companion Total Recall, rated 8lb below Rathvinden over fences.
Biggest threat to the selection should be Gordon Elliott’s The Storyteller, a fortunate Grade 1 winner at the 2018 Punchestown festival (with Rathvinden back in fourth) and a distant third behind Kemboy in the Punchestown Gold Cup last May.
Davy Russell’s mount showed little on his seasonal bow behind Snow Falcon in a Grade 2 chase at Gowran Park in October.
In a race likely to be dominated by chasers, Rathvinden, the mount of Paul Townend, is a hopeful choice.
The Enda Bolger-trained Thatbeatsbanagher – another chaser reverting to the smaller obstacles – is napped to land the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.
Successful off 101 at Killarney in August, this fellow was last seen when finishing fourth (off 108) to Captain Cobajay at Wexford in September on his last start.
Today, the Flemensfirth gelding races off a hurdle mark of 93 and, with Niall Madden on board, must have solid claims.
Another likely JP McManus-owned winner is Saint Roi – having his first run for Willie Mullins – in the finale, a maiden hurdle confined to amateur riders.
This four-year-old finished third on his only hurdle start, in France, when he had 135-rated Quartz Du Rheu (now a Closutton inmate) behind in fourth.
The market should prove a good guide to Saint Roi’s prospects in a race where Arahecan and Braeside, second and third to another Mullins horse Vis Ta Loi over this course and distance last month, will pose a definite threat.
Peter's tips
11.40. Millen to One
12.10. ThatBeatsBanagher (nap)
12.40. Rathvinden
1.10. Sea Scorpion
1.45. Batcio
2.20. BitsAndPieces
2.55. Steer Clear
3.30. Saint Roi
Next Best
11.40. Eleazar Des Neiges
12.10. Bee a Beneficiary
12.40. The Storyteller
1.10. Costalita
1.45. Nimby
2.20. Randalls Ur Poet
2.55. Kavanaghs Corner
3.30. Braeside
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