14:10 Chepstow

I really fancied MONBEG GENIUS for this even before Coconut Splash came out so I’m a bit annoyed as it means his price has come right in. Even still he is a horse I want to keep on side as I was impressed with the way he won at Newcastle last month. Things obviously didn’t work out at Aintree but with that under his belt he quickly improved again to bolt up last time. I think he’ll be ridden forward again and it is going to take a good one to beat him. The interesting one in opposition is First Lord De Cuet as he ran a big race back from a lengthy absence to chase home Complete Unknown and I think that is really good form. The issue is he doesn’t win too often and has now finished runner-up on his last 3 starts which would have to be a bit concerning. Bellatrixsa was progressive over hurdles and it will be interesting to see how she takes to chasing but this is tough.

14:20 Naas

Grangeclare West is unbeaten and will probably prove popular here but I’m siding with IRISH POINT at a bigger price. He made a bright start winning on debut for this yard over hurdles at Cork in November and then made Marine Nationale pull out all the stops in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse last month. That was a huge run with the front pair pulling 4 lengths clear from the rest of them. Marine Nationale is a horse I like a lot and I think he has a lively chance in the Supreme at Cheltenham so I’ll be hoping that form-line can play out here. Grangeclare West impressed winning at Naval first time out over hurdles and is going to improve so looks the danger. Champ Kiely was behind the selection at Fairyhouse but it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see him run well for a long way again here. Inothewayurthinkin is 2-2 over hurdles and is another one to note.