5:00 Fairyhouse Tips

He ticks all the boxes for this race, being a novice chaser and one that likes to be ridden off the front - so often a profitable profile. His only two defeats have come on left handed tracks and the form of his Ascot win two starts back has been franked plenty with the 2nd, 4th and 6th all winning next time. Comfortably won a small field Grade 2 novice chase last time and has lots of promise stepping up to National trips for the first time after winning 3 of his 4 chase starts.

Better Times Ahead had a nice prep run over hurdles for this. His two chase wins have come at this track, and although this is very competitive, he can go close.

Stamina has to be taken on chance, but he's stayed on nicely to win his last two races. The form of that last race was boosted by the second-place horse winning since. Still only a novice but improving, and young horses have a very good record in this race from a top stable. Well worth an each-way shot.

Goraibh maith agat, which roughly translates to 'thank you' (as if for a gift). Can hopefully give us a present in a typically difficult Irish National. Was narrowly beaten in the Leinster National, and Harry Cobden rides for his new guv'nor, JP McManus.

Flicker of Hope has really taken well to chasing since switching four runs back, and certainly looks a live contender in this assuming his blip last time out was simply that. Prior to his run last time out, he had three efforts over fences, running over all ranges of trips. His two wins came over middle and long distances: 20f and 3m, while he was still a creditable third on his run over the 2-mile trip. I feel his run last time out can be excused because it was only 16 days following a good win over a testing 3m trip on soft ground that he was again back out over the same trip, this time on heavy ground. He was struggling three from home and quickly detached from the rest of the field soon after??'perfectly understandable. He came into that off the back of a much longer layoff, 71 days to be exact, so there should be no concerns with fatigue this time.

A very open staying handicap where the enabler appeals at a big-looking 28/1. With six places up for grabs, he looks a good each-way bet. He ran well at the Festival last time out and looks to be on a winning mark.

Ridden by the excellent James Bowen. I think this horse showed LTO by winning a Listed race over shorter and that he has a bit of class about him over fences. Lightly raced for a ten-year-old (missed most of 2023 and all of 2024), he comes here with just five chase runs and a record of 1-2-2-11-1, with excuses for his 11th at Haydock (injured leg). This distance could well suit, and he may be the type to bowl along, enjoying himself.

With so many horses running in these handicaps, it can be difficult to narrow them down. Lots are in with chances and, of course, luck can play a part. I like this mare's chance of being involved at the finish after finishing seventh in last year's renewal. A good, placed effort in a decent handicap at Gowran Park in January. Unlike last year, she skipped Cheltenham and has been kept fresh for this. She is the choice of Jack Kennedy. A good few of these horses had hard races at Cheltenham, so that could enable the selection to improve on last year's seventh-placed finish.

Karia Des Blaises has been lightly raced over the years. She has a consistent record. Looks a solid contender in an open looking race.

Consistency is not a word you would associate with this horse. Having said that, he is capable on his day and can outrun his odds if on a going day.