CADATHARLA has made an excellent start to handicap hurdles, scoring effortlessly on first start by over five lengths at Naas. He backed up that strong run when a close second behind a subsequent winner at this venue in February. It’s worth upgrading that performance, having been raised a whopping 13lb in the weights prior to that run. He’s a progressive type who is likely to travel strongly into the contest and holds leading credentials.

In what promises to be a thrilling renewal of the Irish Grand National, there are numerous strong contenders, including handicap debutant Thedevilscoachman. He’s a dual Grade 3 winner over distances beyond three miles and must go into thought. Stumptown is another to consider after an excellent runner-up effort at the Cheltenham Festival, with his sound jumping likely to prove an asset. Max Flamingo was given a hurdle prep run for this, which catches the eye, but one at a huge price I like the look of is PUNITIVE. He’s a course-and-distance scorer racing from a handy handicap mark, with Corey McGivern claiming seven pounds off his back. The forecast rain can help his chances and he could sneak into the places.