1.10 Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 5f 107yds

American Mike: Smart bumper form but in-and-out over hurdles last term. Looked back on track when beating Fact To File at the Navan Racing Festival but questions to answer after disappointing defeat at Limerick over Christmas.

Fact To File: Top-class bumper form last season, finding only A Dream To Share too good at this meeting and in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Bold call from connections to send him chasing without any hurdling experience and improved considerably from run one to two in this sphere, bolting up in a traditionally strong beginners’ chase here over Christmas. Will probably stay further than this but rates a top-class chasing prospect.

Found A Fifty: Grade 1 winner here at the Christmas Festival, despite harming his cause by jumping out to the right. Possible that he’s only been declared here as a precaution, as he’s due to run in the Irish Arkle on day one of this meeting.

Gaelic Warrior: Unbeaten for Willie Mullins with the exception of his two visits to Cheltenham when somehow turned over in the Boodles off a mark of 129, and when runner-up in last year’s Ballymore. Has looked a natural over fences, bolting up at Punchestown and Limerick. Perhaps if ridden wide, the nature of chase track here won’t cause too many issues for a horse with a right-handed preference but it is a question mark.

Grangeclare West: Two fine performances at the beginning and end of his campaign last season sandwiched a couple of slightly disappointing showings in Grade 1 company last term, leaving doubts over whether he was genuinely up to this level. However, the £430,000 point-to-point recruit has really kicked on over fences, landing strong Naas beginners’ chase before easy six-length Grade 1 win here at Christmas. Drop in trip shouldn’t inconvenience him too much. This looks a tougher race, though.

Conclusion: Perhaps the slickness and pace that Gaelic Warrior possesses over this trip will be too much too early in the career of Fact To File, given he looks a potential Gold Cup horse for the future, but there is no getting away from the chances of J.P. McManus’ youngster being a top talent. He gets the nod in one of the most fascinating Grade 1s of the whole weekend, with Grangeclare West likely required to raise his game again from Christmas.