FIRST RACE 1.45

TIMEFORM VIEW Landed the Martin Pipe in 2022 and has quickly made up into an even better chaser, winning a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November No match for El Fabiolo in Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and missed the Cheltenham Festival last month on account of the ground. Major claims. TFRHHHHI BHA152

2 SAINT ROI (FR) (30) 4321U3 8 11-7

Br Br g Coastal Path - Sainte Vigne (FR) Mark Walsh J

O Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins, Ireland T

B P.E. Guilloux, J. Thomas & B. Dasque

TIMEFORM VIEW Very smart hurdler who showed he's as good over fences with a Grade 1 success at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Unseated halfway in the Irish Arkle but back on track at the Cheltenham Festival when third behind 2 very good novices. In the mix back up in trip TFRHHHHI BHA152

3 STAGE STAR (IRE) (28) P-12111 D

7 11-7

Br B g Fame And Glory - Sparky May Harry Cobden J

O Owners Group 044 Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T

B Ruxley Holdings Ltd Owners Group S

TIMEFORM VIEW Challow Hurdle winner last term who has excelled over fences this season, taking his form up another notch with victory in Golden Miller Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. A bold-jumping front runner he's in with a serious shout with better still to come TFRHHHHH BHA155

4 STRAW FAN JACK (GB) (30) 40-1144 C D 8 11-7

Br Gr g Geordieland (FR) - Callerlilly Sean Houlihan J

O Mr Graham Wilson Sheila Lewis, Brecon T

B Whitegate Stud Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Built for chasing and left his hurdle form behind when winning novices at Ffos Las (handicap) and Cheltenham in October Lost unbeaten record over fences in a Newbury handicap next time and rather predictably found things too competitive in the Arkle last month. This another tough ask. TFRHHIII BHA141

5 VISIONARIAN (IRE) (68) 0-11226 D 8 11-7

Br B g Vision d’Etat (FR) - La Gree (FR) Keith Donoghue J

O Mr Basil Holian Peter Fahey, Ireland T

B Ian Hannon

TIMEFORM VIEW Irish raider who won his first couple of starts over fences last July and took a step forward when 2 1/2 lengths to Saint Roi in Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Failed by a long chalk to repeat that in Irish Arkle since though, so best to look elsewhere. TFRHHIII BHA149

DECLARED RUNNERS 5

2022: MILLERS BANK 8 11 4 Kielan Woods 7-1 (Alex Hales) 6 ran Tongue Strap worn by No 2.

Probable S.P’s: 13-8 Stage Star (IRE), 15-8 Banbridge (IRE), 10-3 Saint Roi (FR), 22-1 Visionarian (IRE), 25-1 Straw Fan Jack (GB)

PLAY SMARTER

Just the 5 runners for the Grand National Festival opener but it promises to be a cracker, STAGE STAR selected to take his record to 5-6 over the larger obstacles and add a second success at the top level to his CV following his Cheltenham Festival glory in the Golden Miller last month. The ground went against Banbridge that day, so he’s fancied to give the selection most to think about returning from a couple of months off, with Saint Roi seemingly best of the rest.

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